The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

I don’t read too many self-help books. The last one I read was helpful in many ways. I loved it and could relate to a few points. I picked up The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson not sure what to find inside. It was filled with experiences and anecdotes related to what I was experiencing or would have already been through.

Here are five moments from the book that I connected to and loved reading about:-

Wanting the Reward not the Struggle

Very often I don’t enjoy the process of doing things because I often look into the future and what it will bring. It’s true when the author says that you have to love the process and put in the struggle first and not just aim at the ultimate victory. I loved the example of people who enjoy the struggles of a gym are the ones usually with chiseled abs. It’s true you have to enjoy the work before you actually see any results. It could mean a slow process but it’s ultimately what is fulfilling and will get you to your goal.

Accepting Mediocrity

This reflection really resonated with me. I’ve had a lot of work experience but not enough qualifications to back up my career. I’ve always had a feeling of mediocrity in the way I’ve worked myself up or sometimes down. But it’s true that it’s not important to be always great at something. That being mediocre lends scope to improving and you can still be exceptional at something because you never thought yourself great in the first place and worked hard along the way. Often the mediocre have to work the hardest.

The Story of Hiroo Onoda

I loved this real life example of Hiroo Onoda. It was a story most interesting to read. The story brought out how sometimes we fight for causes or believe in things and suffer for them. Often we suffer silently for things we believe strongly in but like the author says we must questions ourselves “Why are we suffering for what purpose?” This chapter was the most interesting to read and take in the lessons of.

Self Awareness and Being Lonely

I often feel lonely, and although I don’t blame people for it, I rarely try to solve the problem in any way. I just keep living the way I am. This often comes as avoiding responsibility for your problem. I loved to read more of what the author had to say on this subject because I often don’t take on the burden of being single or lonely and actually find ways out of it when one most definitely can do something about it.

Inspiring

Another inspiring story was that of William James and how he came to be the father of American Psychology. I particularly liked how he noted in his diary that he was responsible for whatever happened in his life no matter what. What I liked is the act of writing something in a diary can mean so many things. Putting visions down is such a strong and meaningful action.

The self realization that the author speaks of that we are responsible for everything that happens to us no matter what our external circumstances are. Often I tend to blame external circumstances for the things the way they are but that shouldn’t stop me from changing things and making a better life. Altering your attitude towards a more proactive stance on things brings out more positive outcomes.

These golden nuggets of observation, personal life experiences, the drawing and inference from real life examples makes The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson a self help book a truly memorable and meaningful in the heart of the passage.