Writing Felt Good

My first blog. Bought the book in 2022. Stole glances between work and life until retirement called.

I finally found the time to read and enjoy The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson. I like to make things concise specially with the fleeting attention span brought upon by digital gadgets and such, here are three things that I believe made an impact to me after flipping thru the pages of T.SA.N.G.F.

1. Feedback Loop From Hell. I have gone thru this. I know how it feels and I know how difficult it is to get out of it. Yes Mark Manson, I am familiar with it.

You get anxious about something. This anxiety makes your stomach turn, your ability to eat (automatic diet!) and your ability to sleep. This anxiety makes you anxious on why your stomach turn, why you can eat and sleep. All of a sudden, you are anxious about your anxiety and the cycle continues.

We are flooded by images and information on what we need but don't discern what we actually need. We have to turn 'information' off and just not give a f*uck. Do we really need to buy that pair of shoes to be happy with our lives?

2. Rock Star Problems. I didn't know Dave Mustaine of Megadeth used to be part of Metallica.

Kicked out of Metallica so Mustaine decided to create his own thriving group but still unhappy about it. As Mark Manson explained, 'you and I have different values.' For Mustaine, he would prefer to be as big as Metallica which Megadeth is not.

Pete Best, former Beatles drummer, eventually realized that he is much happier that he would have been with the Beatles. For context, Pete was kicked out which led to meeting his wife and having a family. Fame and glory have value indeed but Pete knew that a simple life with his family and loving wife is what is important to him.

You always have the option to choose your values and therefore give a f*uck on what matters most. You probably just don't realize it but you are always choosing what to give a f*uck about.

3. The Do Something Principle.

This mindset will allow you to see that failure is unimportant. Work on tasks that needs to be done instead of doing them when its due. If you've been unkind to your sister, try to be kinder next family lunch. Be less of a jerk when a fast food worker moves extra slow (difficult but will try). The idea here is - Do Something. Who knows, it might be the one thing you need to start and can inspire you to continue.

Doing something also equates to giving a f*ck about what you value. I value to be less of a jerk so I will try to be patient when the server takes 5 minutes to gather my burger and fries from the back.

Mark Manson's T.SA.N.G.F. is an inspiring and straightforward body of thoughts that will also make you look at how you perceive your own values in life and hopefully learn from it.