The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*** by Mark Manson must have created some flutters among the self help gurus and these self professed life coaches. The book tears apart the very concept of feel good and positivity on which most of the traditional self help books were based. I find many concepts in the book to be radical, but practical and some other re-packaged and represented in a more forceful way to leave a lasting impact.

Difficult and Uncomfortable Read

You could find the book irritating and peeve, as to me, especially the first chapter where the liberal use of cuss word was putting me off every now and then. But you just have to hang on and hang on a little longer and the book will make sense, as it did to me.

In the first chapter, the author has used the ‘f’ word in every second line. I was cringing each time. I started avoiding it, overlooking it, denying it, rejecting it, skipping it. But to no avail. I was not able to understand anything. I almost give up the book when I decided to accept it and then I started reading the book.

Enlightening Moment

And the bingo moment came. The moment I accepted the ‘f’ word, it stop bothering me and after a while it completely vanished from the book only making the occasional guest appearance.

It became clear to me that this is what the author was trying to convey. When we run away from our problems, our shortcomings, our weaknesses, our failures it bother us. But the moment we accept them, they stop bothering us, we become comfortable with it and are more at peace.

Isn’t the peace which we all crave for; peace of mind. This book concentrates on it. How to be at peace with yourself in spite of all the failures, heartbreaks, shortcomings, weaknesses and problems and to be happy.

How can we attain that peace. There are many things which disturb the serene of our mind. So the basic funda of the author is to be choosy about the troubles which should be given importance and let go of the rest. Do not fuss over every mundane, petty and insignificant things which we generally do in our day to day life. Save all your fuss for matters which really matter.

Concepts and Ideas

The book has left a deep impact on my psyche and on my life in more than one way. It has provided me with an angle which I have never thought before, never heard before and never read before.

• The author’s concepts like to choose your battles wisely;
• Take responsibility of your life and your action;
• Not to run away from flaws;
• It is okay to be average;
• Choose your values and metrics properly;
• most importantly, there is no gain if we shy away from pain;
• It is fine not to be positive all the time;
• His chapter on entitlement was an eye opener. It helped me to understand myself better.
• The concept to be wrong and less wrong was mind blowing.

The last chapter on death was good, but it was dark and depressing to read.

The Verdict

The book annoyed me, irritated me, it made me cringe, it made me uncomfortable yet it is the most revolutionary and radical self help book I have read till date. It is written in the most aggressive, witty and powerful manner which will leave an impact on your mindset.

I can’t recommend this book enough. The Secrets by Rhonda Byrne or Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma are yesteryear books, are passe. Subtle Art is more practical and tells you how to be happy even if you are average in most of the things and accept yourself as you are.

It is no doubt the best self help book of 2018.

A five starer read.

Mark Manson

Mark Manson was frank and sometimes bluntly honest about himself in his book Subtle Art. You will get to know him closely with the anecdotes he shared in the book about himself.

The kind of concept he has discussed in the book, you will be surprised to know that he was a drug addict and a womanizer. But then people do evolves. Same was true for Mark Manson.

He learned from his mistakes and all the negative experience infused some positivity in his life which took the shape of the book The Subtle Art of Not Giving F***

Mark Manson Books

I was reading a comment on Mark Manson’s book Subtle Art when a reader mentioned about his another book Models: Attract Women Through Honesty. According to her, it is also a brilliant and humorous book by Mark Manson.

I am yet to read this book. But the remarks of this reader intrigues me and now I look forward to read Models by Mark Manson. Stay tune the review will becoming soon.

Books Similar to Subtle Art

I have a book recommendation, if you enjoyed reading The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*** by Mark Manson. In fact after reading the book, which I am about to recommend, I felt that Subtle Art has been inspired from it. Because the concept were similar only the way of presenting them was different.

That book is My Way: The Way of the White Clouds by Osho. It is a must read book if the cuss words in Subtle Art bothers you too much.

My Way: The Way of the White Clouds by Osho

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