The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck review

Manson's "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" is not your typical & ordinary self-help guide. It trashes the whole "positive vibes only", & instead focuses on a refreshing truth, life is full of struggles, and THAT IS OKAY!

Here's why I loved it (and some of the parts that really stuck with me):

• Struggle is Good, Actually

Manson flips the script on happiness. He says chasing only positive experiences actually makes you miserable. Instead, he argues that accepting and facing our struggles is what leads to true growth. It hit me hard when he said: "The failures in business are what lead to a better understanding of what's necessary to be successful." It's like, duh, of course! But it's something we often forget.

• You Choose Your Struggles (Kinda)

This part remained in my hearth. Manson says we define ourselves by what we struggle for. It's not about blind optimism or gritting your teeth through pain. It's about choosing the struggles that align with your values. Like, if you love the gym, you'll be the one with the sculpted abs, because you enjoy that struggle. Maybe you don't crave a ripped physique, and that's okay! The point is to find your own path, struggles and all.

• Suffering Sucks, But It Has Purpose

Manson asks the big question: If suffering is inevitable, why are we going through it all? He suggests that our struggles force us to grow and find meaning in life. Maybe that dead-end job is teaching you resilience, or that heartbreak is showing you what you truly value in a partner.

• Taking Responsibility is Power

We always hear nowadays everywhere that, we can't control everything, but we can control how we feel and react. But hearing with the reason why, has another impact. Manson emphasizes that taking responsibility for our choices and problems is crucial. It's not about blame, but about understanding that we're really responsible for our actions and beliefs, which have brought us to this point. This can be tough, but it's the key to real personal growth!

• Failure is Fertilizer for Success

Manson shatters the myth of the overnight success story. He says improvement comes from tons of tiny failures. The people who seem to have it all probably just failed more than you (and learned a heck of a lot from it). This takes the pressure off and makes you see failure as a stepping stone, not a roadblock.

• Love: Don't Drown, Embrace

Manson tackles relationships too. He says unhealthy love is about escaping your problems, while healthy love is about facing them together. It's about accepting your partner (flaws and all) and being okay with being rejected by them (and vice versa).

• Death: The Ultimate Motivator?

The book mentions Ernest Becker's "The Denial of Death" and how the fear of death can be paralyzing. But Manson flips this on its head too. He says confronting our mortality can actually be a good thing. It forces us to shed unimportant values and focus on what truly matters: our legacy.

The End Result?

So, we see that it is not about feeling happy all the time, it is about accepting the 360 degree of human experience; the good, the bad, the ugly, and the crazy. It's about taking responsibility, choosing your fights, downs, and finding meaning in the struggle. And honestly, it kind of makes you want to go out there and deal with life's challenges head-on.

As for "The Denial of Death," Manson intrigued my curiosity for sure. I might take on another practical self discovery book now, but Becker's book is definitely on my future reading list!