Iris Apfel Quotes

Before I started chemotherapy treatments, I wrote down the best advice from doctors, family, friends, books, and survivors and created an 'Owner's Manual' to help me take care of myself. It would remind me that cancer is doable.

One of the things I did to make myself feel better is that I kicked up my running even more. I knew that I had to stay active, that I had to keep living as if my life was actually going to unfold naturally because when you stop, when you freeze, and you think about it, that's when the demons come and can drag you down.

The message I want to give my fans is, always have a way to pull yourself out of the dark place. Don't sit and cry about it. Have your moment, and then get over it.

I was in a very deep, dark slump, and I needed to find a way to get myself out of it. I had to force myself back out into life, back out into experiencing things.

Unhappiness is something we are never taught about; we are taught to expect happiness, but never a Plan B to use to use when the happiness doesn't arrive.

I have been dealing with illness and its manifestations since I was a teenager, and I think that gives me a very healthy respect for the things in life we can't control.

We all go through sad times, but I was brought up to be positive.

Problems are not the problem; coping is the problem.

If you get a diagnosis, get on a therapy, keep a good attitude and keep your sense of humor.

Where I am today... I still have my ups and downs, but I take it one day at a time and I just hope that I can be the best that I can possibly be, not only for myself, but also young people that are out there today that need someone to look up to.

I kind of have a happy magnet. I can't stand being depressed, so I work my ass off to get out of it as soon as possible.

I've got so much to do, I don't have time to sit down and be sad.

I am optimistic. But I also know that, with time, I'm beginning to fight issues of aging as well as long-term paralysis.

I've got to keep breathing. It'll be my worst business mistake if I don't.

There's a way of dealing with hardships that are healthier than going out. That's what I've learned.

I just think that is so important to keep a strong support system, to keep yourself encouraged.

If I let myself sink into depression, I won't be able to get out. And then I'll be awfully unhappy. I just have to turn my face to the light and walk on. And trust that things will be all right.

While I still have more good days than bad days, I'm going to keep playing.

I briefly did therapy, but after a while, I realised it is just like a farmer complaining about the weather. You can't fix the weather - you just have to get on with it.

Keeping an active mind has been vital to my survival, as has been maintaining a sense of humor.

Always Do Your Best. Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

The best advice is to get on with it. I'm very prone to falling into depressions - not clinical, just 'can't be bothered.' It's such a waste of time.

I don't feel my best right now, but at the same time, I'm not trying to find any excuses or anything.

Sometimes my body wakes me up and says 'Hey, you haven't had pain in a while. How about pain?' And sometimes I can't breathe, and that's hard to live with. But I still celebrate life and don't give up.

It's like you asked me about the depression thing: you grope towards an understanding of whatever it is your going through, and it's not personal, there are forces in play around you, and you seek to understand them and that way you can go on.