The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life

Mark Manson

Sep 2016 · Sold by HarperCollins

About this ebook

#1 New York Times Bestseller • More than 10 million Copies Sold

In this generation-defining self-help guide, a superstar blogger cuts through the crap to show us how to stop trying to be "positive" all the time so that we can truly become better, happier people.

For decades, we’ve been told that positive thinking is the key to a happy, rich life. "F**k positivity," Mark Manson says. "Let’s be honest, shit is f**ked and we have to live with it." In his wildly popular Internet blog, Manson doesn’t sugarcoat or equivocate. He tells it like it is—a dose of raw, refreshing, honest truth that is sorely lacking today. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k is his antidote to the coddling, let’s-all-feel-good mindset that has infected modern society and spoiled a generation, rewarding them with gold medals just for showing up.

Manson makes the argument, backed both by academic research and well-timed poop jokes, that improving our lives hinges not on our ability to turn lemons into lemonade, but on learning to stomach lemons better. Human beings are flawed and limited—"not everybody can be extraordinary, there are winners and losers in society, and some of it is not fair or your fault." Manson advises us to get to know our limitations and accept them. Once we embrace our fears, faults, and uncertainties, once we stop running and avoiding and start confronting painful truths, we can begin to find the courage, perseverance, honesty, responsibility, curiosity, and forgiveness we seek.

There are only so many things we can give a f**k about so we need to figure out which ones really matter, Manson makes clear. While money is nice, caring about what you do with your life is better, because true wealth is about experience. A much-needed grab-you-by-the-shoulders-and-look-you-in-the-eye moment of real-talk, filled with entertaining stories and profane, ruthless humor, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is a refreshing slap for a generation to help them lead contented, grounded lives.

Ratings and reviews

I do not like self help books and don't think much of them. however this one I found very good. I wouldn't call it a self-help book but it's close-ish?! I found it funny and also it sheds a light on a lot of stuff I didn't understand about social behaviours and it made sense (to me at least). The would call this book a shrink appointment without the shrink. you get to ask yourself a few questions that really digs deep into your mind and answer a few questions you never knew you were asking.

Just read the first part and it It reminds me of my wife and I she's going through right now She's not happy Because Separating now when I talk to her and I see her she doesn't look happy but it's all my fault but it cost all this problems I'd put attention on her now you just got to move on and and try to try to find love somewhere else because I still love her married I don't know what's going to happen but it was a nice book I love it.

I really don't understand the negativity towards this book. I've got like a couple dozen pages left and it's one of my favorite books. This is the only "self-help" book that I've ever found even slightly helpful and honestly I love Mark Manson's way of thinking

About the author

Mark Manson is the three-time #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, as well as other titles. His books have sold over 20 million total copies, been translated into more than 65 languages, and reached number one in more than a dozen countries. He's been profiled in New York Magazine, Men's Health, and The Times of London among others. A feature film about his life and ideas was released worldwide by Universal Pictures in 2023.