The Subtle Art Of Not Giving a Fck

Summary part 5
Stop Thinking You Are Exceptional
Just feeling good about yourself means nothing unless you have a
good reason to feel good.

In the 1960s, a trend in psychology began, focused on helping

people develop better self-esteem. The theory was that people who
feel good about themselves do better in life and cause fewer
problems.

Schools, churches, and companies have begun to use this theory.

People were bombarded with messages saying they were
exceptional and capable of achieving great things.

The problem is that many listen to this message and believe in it –

but they never do anything to be exceptional or successful.

These people believe so much in themselves that they become self-

destructive and narcissistic.

And sometimes the opposite is true. Some people who experience

traumatic experiences or frustrations, begin to believe that they are
special because of their pain.

They begin to see themselves as victims. These people believe they

can behave badly because they have been victimized by something
beyond their control.

These behaviors lead some to take a selfish stance and make them
believe the world revolves around them and their feelings.

The fact that we are constantly bombarded with examples of

extraordinary and exceptional people on TV and the internet does
not help either. When we compare ourselves and compare our
accomplishments to what we see, we feel mediocre.
That made mediocrity a new standard for failure. The simple idea
that everyone can be extraordinary is impossible. Being
extraordinary is not something easy, simple. It is often unreachable
for most people.

Your constant effort to be extraordinary and exceptional is bad for

your mental health, and the cure for this suffering is to accept that
many of the things you do and who you are can be mediocre.

When you accept that not everything you do needs to be

extraordinary, you can enjoy the simple things in life.