Afterpage

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

Mark Manson

For people tired of positive-thinking advice who want a blunt take on values, responsibility, and what's worth caring about. The tone is profane and sarcastic, which some readers love and others don't.

A week with this book

A short summary today, then one small action a day for six days. Free for your first book.

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

Free for your first book. No card. One click to stop.

Day 1

The ideas the week uses

Mark Manson argues that the key to a better life is not caring about more things, but caring about fewer, better ones. Struggle is unavoidable, so choose what you're willing to struggle for.

  1. Choose what to care about. You only have so much attention and energy. Caring about everything leaves you anxious and stretched; caring about the right few things gives life direction.
  2. Happiness comes from solving problems. Problems never go away; they're replaced by new ones. Manson argues that good problems, ones you choose and enjoy working on, are what make life satisfying.
  3. Pick better values. Values are how we measure ourselves. Manson suggests good values are based on reality, help others, and are within your control, like honesty, while bad ones depend on things like popularity.
  4. Responsibility is not fault. Something can happen that isn't your fault, but how you respond is always your responsibility. Taking responsibility gives back your power.
  5. You could be wrong. Certainty is often a trap. Being willing to question your beliefs, and to fail, is how you grow.

Where it overreachesThe style can feel repetitive, and the book offers more attitude than method. Some arguments are more rhetorical than evidence-based.

Days 2 to 7

How to apply The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

10 to 20 minutes each, with a two-minute version for a bad day.

Printable week card (one page)

  1. 2List what you care aboutWrite down everything you're spending emotional energy on this week, then circle the five that matter most.
  2. 3Pick your struggleWrite down one goal you want and the specific struggle it requires, and decide whether you want that struggle.
  3. 4Audit your valuesWrite down three values you measure yourself by, and test each one against Manson's criteria.
  4. 5Take responsibility for one thingPick one problem in your life that isn't your fault, and write down how you'll respond to it.
  5. 6Question one beliefPick one strong belief about yourself and write the best argument that you're wrong.
  6. 7Do somethingTake the first small action on the goal you chose on day 3, even if you don't feel motivated.

Sample

Day 3, in full

This is what lands in your inbox that morning.

AfterpageDay 3 of 7 · Action

Pick your struggle

Today’s action · 10 to 20 minutes

Write down one goal you want and the specific struggle it requires, and decide whether you want that struggle.

How

Manson's question is roughly: what pain are you willing to live with? If you want to be fit, are you willing to train when tired? Write the goal, the daily struggle, and yes or no.

Why this one

Manson argues that we choose our goals by choosing our struggles. If you don't want the struggle, you don't really want the goal.

If today is a bad day

Write one goal and the daily struggle it would require.

In short

Questions about this book

Who is The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson for?

For people tired of positive-thinking advice who want a blunt take on values, responsibility, and what's worth caring about. The tone is profane and sarcastic, which some readers love and others don't.

What are the main ideas in The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck?

Mark Manson argues that the key to a better life is not caring about more things, but caring about fewer, better ones. Struggle is unavoidable, so choose what you're willing to struggle for. Choose what to care about; Happiness comes from solving problems; Pick better values; Responsibility is not fault; You could be wrong.

What do you do in the Afterpage week for The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck?

Day 1 is a short summary. Then one action a day, each 10 to 20 minutes: List what you care about; Pick your struggle; Audit your values; Take responsibility for one thing; Question one belief; Do something. Day 7 also has a recap.

Where does The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck overreach?

The style can feel repetitive, and the book offers more attitude than method. Some arguments are more rhetorical than evidence-based.

What is the first action in the The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck week?

List what you care about. Write down everything you're spending emotional energy on this week, then circle the five that matter most. If you only have two minutes: Write one thing you'll stop caring about this week.

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