The Only Thing Your Problems Have in Common…

136 people had breakthroughs this week. Will the next one be you?

One thing for you to think about

Nobody else is responsible for your life but you.

Many people may be at fault for your pain and unhappiness. But no one else is responsible for digging you out of that pain or unhappiness.

Two things for you to ask yourself

Are you taking full responsibility for your problems? If not, why not?

One thing for you to try this week

Pick a problem you’ve been struggling with—relationship, work, motivation, health, anything. Take full responsibility for it. How does that change the way you see the problem?

New This Week

Podcast: The 4 Stages of Life, Psychological Richness, and How Much Is Enough?

Life has a way of just… happening. And while exactly what happens is unique to each of us, we all seem to go through very similar stages of our lives. In this latest podcast episode, Drew and I talk about the challenges of these stages, the never-ending struggle where life happens. And then we answer a very simple, yet very difficult question from a listener: How much is enough? Enjoy.

Last week’s breakthroughs

On the occasion of the 100th newsletter last week, I asked you to share the biggest lesson or insight you’ve gained from receiving this email each week.

There were many common themes—some of the most common ones include:

• You are responsible for your own emotions.
• Growth requires loss—a loss of your old values, your old behaviors, your old loves, your old identity.
• Acts of love are valid only if they’re performed without conditions or expectations.
• The best way to win respect is to respect yourself first.
• Toxic people get all the attention. Healthy people get all the happiness.

For reader Sasha, it’s been all about agency:

The biggest lesson and insight I’ve gained from this newsletter is that we are in charge of our destiny. While we can’t always control external factors, we can choose how we respond to them. We have the power to influence what truly matters: what we do, when we do it, how we rest, how we hold ourselves accountable, and how we build meaningful relationships. This is the foundation of a healthy, happy life, and everything beyond that is a bonus.

But most importantly, you all referenced the community as the most beloved aspect of this newsletter:

The biggest lesson has been realizing that everyone is struggling in some way and we all want the same things in the end… love, kindness, appreciation, feeling heard and seen, feeling that we can be ourselves and we will still be worthy of all of the above.

This newsletter helped me realize that I’m not alone. I’ve been struggling with anxiety and depression most of my life and I started paying attention to it only recently. This newsletter has helped me realize that other people also struggle with most of the things I struggle with and that they can be solved by taking small steps like asking the right questions and answering them honestly. My favorite part about this newsletter is that it makes me think, it makes me question my beliefs and become a bit more honest with myself. To everyone that has shared their Breakthroughs, thank you.

I have to say that I agree. My whole career, I have received thousands of emails from people struggling who falsely believe that they are alone and unique in their struggles. The biggest joy for me these past two years has been to be the conduit for all of you to help each other, and show each other that none of us are alone.

As always, send your breakthroughs by simply replying to this email. Let me know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous.

Until next week,

Mark Manson

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author
My Website – My Books – My YouTube Channel – My Podcast