Everything is F*cked - Mark Manson
How I discovered it
Many of the books I read don’t have particularly interesting stories behind how I found them. I usually read books recommended by people I follow or suggestions from friends. But the truth is, this book was just another spontaneous purchase from Waterstones. The title was catcy, and I could straight away agree with it, the world is indeed f*ucked in so many ways, so why not read about it?
Who should read it ?
If you ever find yourself at a crossroads, pulled between personal desires and public opinions, this book offers a refreshing and radical perspective on life. It uncovers truths which we all have difficulties addimitting and often forget about these for ease.
Summary and impact on me
The book covers a wide range of topics from Heroism and Hope to The Tyranny of Choice. In the first chapter Mark Manson talks about the curent situation of the society we live in. We are comoftable but completely purposeless. We’ve lost the drive which previous generations had and yet ignore that we are having a much better life than any past generation.
The illusion of freedom lives inside almost each individual, but in truth once one does not procrastinate, and has self control is free from stress. Every lack of action has an equal action over ones life. And when it comes to emotional freedeom, the real one is when one chooses to accept, forget and continue without the past’s burdens.
The book also offers great advice on how to get ahead in life and talks about the Laws of Emotions:
Every action has an equal and opposite emotional reaction.
Our self-worth is shaped by the sum of our emotions over time.
Our identity remains fixed until a new experience forces us to reconsider it. Change is painful and uncomfortable, but necessary for growth.
These matters because our actions are mainly influenced by our emotions and not logic. Learning and understanding how behaviour works, we can use it in our advantage to learn self control.
The conclusion of the book is simple, instead of just hoping for a better future, we should focus on becoming better every day by focusing on our actions.
How the book changed me
In many ways. In moments when I am letting myself carried away by negative emotions and difficult moods I often remember that life is not fair for anyone and not just me, and even if something that bad happened it doesn’t mean I am owed something good. Life is random, but with more attention there are plenty of opporunities to make it even. Life does not give us what we are owed, but gives us the opportunity to make for it and it our responsability to work for the life we have.
Hope it’s necessary for survival, it is the small fire that keeps us alive and gives us purpose to carry on no matter what, it is a way of embracing the uncomofrable parts of life.
Conclusion
A book that changes people. It took me over to weeks to read it, but it made me think about the topic like no other book did. Great book worth to read a second time.
