“The Courage To Be Disliked” challenges conventional wisdom and offers a fresh perspective on the pursuit of happiness and self-fulfilment. Written by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga, this book is a dialogue between a philosopher and a young man, exploring the principles of Alfred Adler’s psychology.
The book encourages readers to free themselves from the burden of seeking approval from others and embrace the courage to be disliked. It presents various arguments expressing that true freedom comes from accepting oneself the way they are and choosing one’s path regardless of others’ opinions.
How do we gain the courage to be disliked?
Do you remember reading Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People”? I don’t know somehow when I was reading the courage to be disliked, I could draw parallels with how the authors of the courage to be disliked contrast the idea of striving to be liked. While Carnegie’s book emphasises developing social skills and strategies for gaining acceptance, the Courage to be disliked advocates for personal empowerment through self-awareness and self-acceptance.
In a world where validation often comes from external sources, this book serves as a reminder that true fulfilment stems from within. It challenges readers to question societal norms and reevaluate their own beliefs about success and happiness.
Moreover, the book prompts reflection on the evolution of human thought. Where once we sought acceptance and approval as a means of survival, we are now challenged to embrace our individuality and stand firm in our convictions, even if it means facing criticism or rejection. I think this is the new way of life now, while we work on building resilience, we also might need to embrace ourselves in every possible way.
I see this book as a reminder that true courage lies in embracing our imperfections and embracing the discomfort of being disliked, not fitting in rather than conforming to the expectations of others. It is a hard thing to do but I feel the most liberating one and let you have control over your life.
I am participating in #BlogchatterA2Z 2024 and will be writing one informational post almost every day for you 🙂 Keep reading!
