I have never done it before, writing a book review but somehow, I felt compelled to share my views on “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck”. Anything with curse words on the cover picks my interest to check for its synopsis but for this book, I felt a little more than that and ended up buying a copy for myself.
Overall, it was an above-average read. Nothing too extraordinary about the book. Although, I must admit it did have some momentary impact on me. I tried a few of the tricks and tips provided by the Author to align my values with my goals & actions. This also led me to rethink my values and revise the list. I believe this book aims to help the reader to think a little bit more clearly about what they’re choosing to find important in life and what they’re choosing to find unimportant.
Unfortunately, a sanctimonious tone reflects the writing of the entire book and was one of the reasons to not cross the average threshold in writing concepts. However, I loved the guest appearance of Disappointment Panda. Disappointment Panda was one of the best additions to this book and makes giving the book worth a short.
Two of my favorite lines from the book:
- “The key to a good life is not giving a fuck about more; it’s giving a fuck about less, giving a fuck about only what is true and immediate and important.”
- “Because when you give too many fucks …. you feel that you’re perpetually entitled to be comfortable and happy at all times, that everything is supposed to be just exactly the fucking way you want it to be. This is sickness. And it will eat you alive. You will see every adversity as an injustice, every challenge as a failure, every inconvenience as a personal slight, every disagreement as betrayal, you will be confined to your own petty, Skull Sized Hell….. your very own feedback loop from hell”
The first point is quite self-explanatory but the second one gave me chills and goosebumps. But like anything of true value in life, dig a little deeper and you’ll find a treasure worthy of any explorer willing to look below the surface. I started experimenting the with idea of Skull Sized Hell and it slowly and gradually helped me see the clear picture of my self-imposed limitation and hell. I felt like I have been captive of my brain. I have chosen the hell I am rotting in and I can only free myself. However, this book also made a good point about sometimes the necessity to take a step back and re-evaluate why I think so-and-so daily. Why are these thoughts so liberating and yet making me feel caged at the same time?
So, I took some time to think about the impression the book is leaving on my mind. I didn’t just want to believe things all over again which are not in line with my values and what the book correctly states that no problem is easy or difficult it all depends on the way we look at them. Hence, I wished to look on my problems with a different angle and not the way the book wants me to look at it like the magnified exaggerated version where I will start questioning my choices and identity, but to look at them in a way where yes, some things are misaligned, few of my values need to be revisited and the list should need revision from time to time. There is no secret most righteous goal & value list. We just make our wrong list a little less wrong over time, if we are conscious enough, but in the impulsive time always remember that a few things that look right at the moment and maybe not later and that is okay. We need not break our heads over it. We don’t have to be always right. We just need to keep on learning and growing and try not to repeat the same mistakes.
Instead of fixating my writing towards the book, I have also added my experience and thoughts with the journey of reading this book to provide a better perspective and bring justice to my writing.