The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck: How to Stop Spending Time You Don't Have with People You Don't Like Doing Things You Don't Want to Do (A No F*cks Given Guide Book 1)

by Sarah Knight

But perhaps the more pertinent question is: Does it annoy? If so, you need to stop giving a fuck, posthaste.

Most people give away their fucks without much thought. Feelings of guilt, obligation, or anxiety cause them to behave in a manner that, while least objectionable to other people, is often detrimental to their own levels of annoy vs. joy.

Please listen when I say that the shame and guilt you feel when you’re trying so hard to not give a fuck? It’s usually not because you are wrong to not give that fuck. It’s because you’re worried about what other people might think about your decision.

When it comes to how your fuck-giving affects other people, all you can control is your behavior with regard to their feelings, not their opinions.

You can sidestep the prospect of hurt feelings entirely when you view your conflict through the lens of simple, emotionless opinion.

So the next time this type of thing comes up, just gaze calmly at Stacey, shrug your shoulders, and say, “I know, I know, everybody has an opinion!” Then change the subject to neutral territory, like whether George Clooney is getting hotter with age.

It is very hard to get fired from a job that you’re doing well. And given all the things you simply have to give a fuck about in order to actually do your job—there must be at least five that you could stop giving a fuck about and thereby significantly improve your day-to-day life.

I really, truly don’t give a fuck about karaoke, but if I’m already at the bar and someone dangles that microphone in my face and I’m lubed up with enough Bacardi to anesthetize a pony, well… things happen.