Sunday, November 5, 2017

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck (Mark Manson)

Mark Manson’s The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is a not-so-subtle book that tugs at those of us who have suffered some form of first world crisis. We all know what we're talking about here: career, marriage, money, and whether to go out or just binge on Netflix all weekend. Manson argues that most of these issues can be a drain on our energy and our time. Instead, we should spend time worrying about things that really matter and just let the rest of it the (expletive) go.

If it sounds like your typical self-help talking point, it is. However, the majority of the book provides wit, sarcasm, clever metaphors, and thought which deliver the typical self-help points in a relatively different, outside-the-box, package. It’s not a positive package though and it’s not fluffy, nor is it intended to be. Manson ropes in his personal experiences to shape the narrative that life isn’t always fair, nor is it intended to be, but we ultimately are responsible for our happiness in life regardless of whatever cards we're dealt.

Manson can come across as crass to those who aren’t accustomed to seeing f bombs delivered in regular doses in a book. He can also blend that harsh reality in a bow of typical self helpdom that may cause an eye roll or two. However, the book does teach some valuable concepts in a 21st Century way that will help those of us going through those inevitable malaises of life to realize that more often than not, life really isn’t that bad.

MY RATING - 3.5