The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck Book Summary - The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck Book explained in key points
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The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck summary

A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life

4.3 (6706 ratings)
22 mins

Brief summary

'The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck' by Mark Manson is a self-help book that advocates for accepting and embracing negative experiences, focusing on what truly matters, and taking responsibility for our lives.

Table of Contents

    The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
    Summary of 8 key ideas

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    Key idea 1 of 8

    Whatever you do in life will be a struggle, so you need to find the struggle that’s right for you.

    What do you really want out of life? In other words, what’s your ultimate goal – the achievement you want written on your headstone?

    It’s not such an easy question to answer, is it? Sure, many of us will claim that we want happiness, a loving family and a job we enjoy, but these are pretty vague ambitions. And vague ambitions are problematic because they won’t push you to strive for success.

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    Key ideas in The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

    • Introduction

    • 1

      Whatever you do in life will be a struggle, so you need to find the struggle that’s right for you.

    • 2

      Suffering can lead to great things, but if you don’t have the right values, you’ll never be happy.

    • 3

      Many people tend to focus on shitty values, so it’s important to find some good ones to believe in.

    • 4

      Sometimes we feel like victims, but positive change only happens when you take full responsibility for your life.

    • 5

      We often flee when our identity is threatened, but Buddhism can help.

    • 6

      You need to accept your mistakes and insecurities if you want to see positive change.

    • 7

      Romantic love can be destructive unless we learn to control it.

    • 8

      Humans are terrified of death, and so they try to live on beyond it.

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    What is The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck about?

    The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck (2016) lays out how to live a better life by caring about fewer things. If you follow few simple rules, you can enjoy a happier, less stressful existence.

    The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck Review

    The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck (2016) is a thought-provoking book by Mark Manson that challenges conventional wisdom about finding happiness and success. Here's why we think this book is worth reading:

    • Unapologetically honest: The book encourages readers to embrace the uncomfortable truths in life instead of chasing superficial happiness.
    • Practical approach: It offers practical advice on how to prioritize what truly matters and let go of things that don't, helping readers lead more fulfilling lives.
    • Engaging storytelling: Through personal experiences and relatable anecdotes, the book captivates readers, making its profound concepts easily digestible.

    Best quote from The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

    What pain do you want to sustain? The path to happiness is a path full of shitheaps and shame. You have to choose something. You cant have a pain-free life

    —Mark Manson
    example alt text

    Who should read The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck?

    • Anyone feeling stressed or overburdened with life
    • Self-improvement junkies
    • People worried about their legacy

    About the Author

    Mark Manson is an author and renowned blogger. Over the past few years, his blog, www.markmanson.net, has garnered a following of several million people. He lives and works in New York City.

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    The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck FAQs 

    What is the main message of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck?

    The main message of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is to embrace life's struggles and focus on what truly matters.

    How long does it take to read The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck?

    The reading time for The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck a good book? Is it worth reading?

    The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is a thought-provoking read that offers a fresh perspective on finding happiness. It's definitely worth reading!

    Who is the author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck?

    The author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is Mark Manson.

    What to read after The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck?

    If you're wondering what to read next after The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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    • Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
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    • The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
    • Atomic Habits by James Clear
    • How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
    • Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
    • 12 Rules For Life by Jordan B. Peterson