LEARN TO CARE DEEPLY — ABOUT THE RIGHT THINGS

Without losing yourself.

I’ve referenced Mark Manson and The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck a lot, but I realized I haven’t actually written about it. I mean, I don’t wanna summarize it like a book report, because who wants that? No one. Not even your Korean neighbor (we have one, and I’m sure he’d hate it like he hates how loud I am with my stupid BS).

Anyway, the truth is, I’ve missed writing. Writing like this. Writing about the things I care about. Writing about my thoughts, how I taught myself to swim before I turned 32, or simply where I am in life right this moment.

Now, this book? I care about it deeply. So why do I care so much about a book that tells me not to care? Because it’s not really about apathy—it’s about intentionality.

Ironically, when you read the book, you’ll find that our little friend Mark isn’t telling us not to give a shit about anything. No. He’s telling us to give a shit about everything—everything that matters, for that matter.

Okay, let’s try that again: Stop giving too many fucks about the things that don’t serve you. Learn to choose what and who to give a fuck about. Be intentional about how many fucks you give and who you give them to.

Because guess what? Not everything deserves your energy. And since we’re talking about that, you should be careful where you expend it. Remember that monumental mistake you made in the past? Yeah, that’s meant to stay where it is, and thinking about it now is a waste of energy.

Control. Stress. Chasing what you don’t have. Going around trying to please everyone. Thinking and overthinking about all the bad, the sad, and even the good that’s already gone. Wallowing about the things you can’t change. And yet somehow, wallowing about the things you can change. This damn cycle of hoping and wishing and never truly being.

Stop.

It’s exhausting.

Stop it before I start talking at you from your inbox.

You know, this is something I constantly tell myself: you’re not for everyone. And you shouldn’t be. You should stop trying to be.

Think about it. If I’m always trying to write for everyone, I’m writing for no one. I don’t need to convince every other IELTS student out there—just the ones who align with our vision. Because… life.

Life. Damn, now that I’m 32? Life seems so fucking short. And fast. Time goes by. We’re finite, and our energy is limited. So tell me again why you’re wasting it on things that don’t serve your mind, body, and soul.

Here, let me help. What’s one thing you’ve been caring too much about that you need to let go of? I’ll start—leaving Japan and coming home to uncertainty. It’s been tough. It still is. But I try to remind myself that certainty is the culprit of every other energy-sucking thing I don’t need in my headspace.

I’m choosing to pour my energy into the business, the solutions to my problems, and the things I can control. Like laying out a plan for a future I can look forward to. Reminding myself why I’m here and why my past self would rather be here than there. Letting go of everything that hinders me from accepting and appreciating the now.

Hoping, wishing, and never truly being. Break the cycle. Learn how to care deeply about the things that truly matter.

Give a fuck about the things that serve you, and give 13x more.

Stay Soulful,
Jopaz