One of, if not the best book out there for those who just can’t help themselves but to give a f*ck.
I have given many f*cks out over the years to people and things that definitely were not f*ck worthy, which eventually lead me to this great and insightful novel. This book has literally saved me thousands of dollars in therapy bills, simply by putting a very complex thing into a very straight forward perspective. That is — who and when to give away my f*cks to. What is worthy of a f*ck, and what is not. And, ultimately, how to live a happier life.
The overall tone of the book provides so much insight on something so tragically relatable, with so much comical relief. Insight on how NOT to let life, and people who are not worthy of your stress, stress you the f*ck out. People, places, and things that really, in the end, don’t matter all that much but in the heat of the moment, seem so important. This book allowed me to really take a step back and reassess those types of situations that would normally otherwise cause me grief and decide whether or not they are worth my time. The book and the meaning behind it has stuck with me over the years wherever I have gone and it always provides a gentle reminder that when things get heavy, I need to stop blowing it up and ask myself, is this shit really worthy of me giving a f*ck? Usually, the answer is no. And I believe the moral behind the story is that you only get so many f*cks to give over the course of a lifetime, which is actually pretty deep when you think about it. Stress has been proven to take years off your life and when you are constantly in a state of stress, anger and tension, it can’t be good for your health or for anyone who is stuck being around you, i.e. your kids.
The last year of my life I have been dealing with postpartum which has ignited a fiery rage inside of me, making me angry with just about every person, place and/or thing around me at some point in time. I wish so much that I had referenced this book more during that period of my life. Now that I am adapting to motherhood I am reminded of this book often when things don’t quite go my way. I am once again leaning on the backbone of the message behind this novel. Motherhood is filled with soooooo many f*cks to give, every single day there is a new f*ck to be given when you are a mom whether it is related to your child, your partner, or just the way life changes after becoming a mom, it is arguably the hardest job in the world and there is little to no recognition. To my fellow moms, I recommend to you this book — The Subtle Art of Not Giving a FUUUUUUCK! Say it with me it feels good! This little ditty is a sweet reminder not to sweat the small stuff, or the small people. There is always going to be some jerk telling you that you’re momming wrong, or some post on social media that is meant to intentionally make you feel like shit for no reason. Or some other thing that triggers your guilt. This book is a great way to provide a little comical relief to your day and give you permission to not give a f*ck when a f*ck is not to be given. Did your kid just smear poop everywhere? Annoying af, yes, f*ck worthy? Maybe not. Did your husband just complain again about how tired he is? Annoying af, yes!! But, f*ck worthy? Probably not (depending on the husband, of course). Once you become a mom you realize you really have to save up your f*cks for the big stuff.
Thinking back to my 20’s , and before that, I used to care so much about what people thought of me (before this book was introduced to me). I can remember spending a disgusting amount of time dwelling over things that really did not matter in the grand scheme of my life. I can’t remember exactly who recommended The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck to me but I owe them a lot because having this as a reference as I get a little older and life gets a little harder, has been a game changer. Not dwelling on trivial things or taking things personally that ultimately have nothing to do with me, has been a game changer. Understanding that most people do not actually care all that much about my feelings towards them, thus saving me from wasting my f*cks on them, that has been a game changer. As the book states — you only get so many f*cks, allocate them wisely, or something along those lines.
To the Author of this book, Mark Manson – thank you. Thank you for providing me with a hilarious yet insanely useful life hack that not one therapist could have prescribed to me without losing their license. You’ve changed my life and the way I look at things, and people, and have helped me live a happier and more carefree life.
Thank you.
