FeaturedSelf-Help & Self-Improvement

Crappy Advice for a Happy Life: 100 Simple Rules on How NOT to Live Happily Ever After

By Kara Lane

Enjoying this book? Help it get discovered by casting your vote!

Loved it! 😍

Hilarious self help guide which aims to give simple rules that you probably already follow

Synopsis

A LIGHTHEARTED GUIDE TO HAPPINESS FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN LAUGH AT THEMSELVES...AND OTHERS!

If reading conventional self-help books on how to be your best self and live your best life hasn’t made you any happier, you’ve come to the right place. Crappy Advice for a Happy Life offers humorous advice on how to be happier without having to change what you think, say, or do.

This “reverse” self-help guide introduces a path to happiness called Approach-EZ. It consists of 100 simple rules that many people unconsciously follow because (a) they believe they can only be happy when things go their way, and (b) they automatically react to people and situations in whatever way comes naturally to them, given their personality. Not that you would do that.

If you’re wise (or a contrarian), you’ll do the opposite of what the rules suggest. But following the rules “as is” is more fun. This short guide includes a quiz. You can see how many of the rules you regularly follow…and no judgment here if you also grade your family, friends, and coworkers!

If you’ve found reading traditional self-help books which focus on becoming your best self and living your happiest life hasn’t resulted in the happiness you desire, you’re in for a treat. Set aside your expectations with this book, you’re not about to be told you’re doing all wrong.


"Crappy Advice for a Happy Life" provides a refreshing and humorous perspective on achieving happiness without necessitating changes to your thoughts, words, or actions.


This unconventional self-help guide introduces a novel approach to happiness known as Approach-EZ. It comprises of 100 simple rules that many people unwittingly follow in their daily lives. Reading it I do wonder if its humour is sarcasm but without trying to read between the lines, it’s very funny.


These rules stem from two primary beliefs: first, that happiness can only be attained when everything is going their way; and second, that they react to people and situations in a manner that feels instinctive based on their personalities.


There’s some great rules to live by, such as procrastinate for as long as you can (as problems can disappear) and plan everything or nothing (ie pick a side and stick with it). Each rule is simple and followed by a one page explanation, so nothing overly preachy or dressed up with a personal story.


The beauty of this guide lies in its light-hearted approach to navigating the complexities of happiness, making it accessible and enjoyable. It also makes it easy to read.


In addition to the rules, this short and engaging guide features a quiz that allows you to assess how many of these rules you regularly follow. It’s a fun way to reflect on your own habits.


Ultimately, "Crappy Advice for a Happy Life" encouraging readers to embrace their quirks while finding laughter in the journey toward happiness.

Reviewed by

Having previously studied English at University I love books. I read regularly and a wide variety of literature and non fiction. I particularly love dystopian fantasies, adventure biographies and novels, especially those that immerse you in the landscape and historical fiction.

Synopsis

A LIGHTHEARTED GUIDE TO HAPPINESS FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN LAUGH AT THEMSELVES...AND OTHERS!

If reading conventional self-help books on how to be your best self and live your best life hasn’t made you any happier, you’ve come to the right place. Crappy Advice for a Happy Life offers humorous advice on how to be happier without having to change what you think, say, or do.

This “reverse” self-help guide introduces a path to happiness called Approach-EZ. It consists of 100 simple rules that many people unconsciously follow because (a) they believe they can only be happy when things go their way, and (b) they automatically react to people and situations in whatever way comes naturally to them, given their personality. Not that you would do that.

If you’re wise (or a contrarian), you’ll do the opposite of what the rules suggest. But following the rules “as is” is more fun. This short guide includes a quiz. You can see how many of the rules you regularly follow…and no judgment here if you also grade your family, friends, and coworkers!

To Whom It May Concern:

You are blessed, and you are cursed. You are blessed because you have more control over your happiness than any other living creature. Yay! You are cursed for the same reason. Nay! Control sounds good in theory, but it’s a lot of responsibility.

Picture a kitten. It has it easy. It does not think to itself, “What should I be when I grow up?” When it grows up, it does not ponder spiritual cat questions like, “Is it true I have nine lives?” Nor does it worry about its image, wondering, “Do the others think I’m a cool cat?” Life is simpler for cats.

You are not a cat. You are a human. What complicates things is that you are not the only human. Not only do you have to deal with your own thoughts, feelings, and behavior—the good, the bad, and the ugly. But you must also put up with other humans' thoughts, feelings, and behavior. I know, right? And then there are the circumstances, inanimate objects, and other stuff that sometimes affect your happiness.

Life feels complicated because it is. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. But there are approaches to life that lead to happiness. One approach (let’s call it Approach-A) is to pick a purpose for your life, set your own goals and work hard to achieve them, focus on the people and interests that matter most to you, be kind and generous to others along the way, figure out a way to find inner peace, and then, abracadabra; you’ll be happy.

Approach-A sounds like a great way to achieve happiness, doesn’t it? Well, it’s not. People who follow that approach are weird. They have to think for themselves instead of following the crowd. They have to put in the effort to get the results they want. They have to do things they don’t feel like doing. They have to consider other people’s perspectives and not just their own. It’s way too hard to follow Approach-A.

You may want to consider a different path to achieving happiness (let’s call it Approach-EZ). It’s way easier. It’s the path most traveled by most people, most of the time. And you know most people are super happy, so obviously this approach works.

The theory behind Approach-EZ is that the simplest way to be happy is to always get your way. Failing that, you should at least be able to react to people and situations in whatever way comes naturally to you, given your personality. Under no circumstances should you have to adapt to others or to reality. Let others and reality adapt to you.

To achieve happiness via Approach-EZ, you must follow 100 simple rules. Each rule benefits you directly, indirectly, or not at all (no system is perfect). But taken collectively, the rules will lead to happiness because they take all the guesswork out of how to live your life. Bonus: Most of the rules require minimal effort.

Now, you may be tempted to stop reading before finishing the book because some rules may sound counterintuitive and/or contradict other rules. But that’s by design. The rules work in mysterious ways. ChatGPT told me that most readers abandon books after the first 25% to 50%. Don’t be a ChatGPT statistic. If you don’t read to the end, you’ll never discover the secret to a happy life. What a shame.

Also, F. Scott Fitzgerald said: “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.” If you’re a brainiac who can hold two opposing ideas in your mind at the same time, consider each rule as stated (Approach-EZ) and simultaneously consider the opposite of the rule (Approach-A). Since you’re a smarty-pants, you can follow the rules, flip the rules, create your own rules, or whatever. But everyone else should follow the rules.

Following are the 100 simple rules for a crappy—I mean happy—life. Give yourself 1 point for each rule you regularly follow. The goal is to score 100, but don’t feel bad if you fall short. You’re only human, after all.



Rule 1 - Cultivate indifference to things that don’t affect you

We all know there is injustice in the world, but what’s it to you? Does thinking about it make you happy? No. Does it affect your lifestyle? No. Does it make you money? No. Does it give you power? No. So why should you care? It’s not your fault that crime, terrorism, inequality, natural disasters, drug addiction, and homelessness exist. You didn’t do it. So, when you hear about tragedies on the news, change the channel. Compassion is not entertaining. It can make you sad and cost you time and money if it prompts you to make donations. Of course, you also don’t want to feel guilty, so it’s best to feel nothing at all. Just ask an anesthesiologist.




Rule 2 - Be impatient when you want something

Good things come to those who wait, but they come faster to those who don’t wait. And why should you have to wait on other people? As if what’s going on in their lives is as important as what’s going on in yours. Contrary to popular belief, patience is not a virtue. That’s just an old wives’ tale started by old wives. Patience is a vice. Have you ever noticed that “patience” and “patients” sound alike? That’s because patients who practice patience die before the physician gets around to seeing them. Impatience is the true virtue. An impatient patient will ring their call button so frequently that the nurses will beg the physician to put them at the top of the list. And that, my friend, is why you should be impatient. It saves lives.



Rule 3 - Act on your feelings of jealousy

Some may call jealousy the green-eyed monster as if that’s bad, but they’ve clearly never seen a Disney Pixar movie. Green-eyed monsters are adorable. And you should give in to feelings of jealousy even if you have brown or blue eyes. Jealousy is nature’s way of saying, “Houston, we have a problem.” You wouldn’t feel jealous unless someone has, or is trying to take, something that’s rightfully yours. Acting on your jealousy is just righting a wrong so you can get back to your happy place. So if you see your boyfriend Ken talking to his “friend” Barbie, go ahead and slash his tires and burn down her Malibu house. Her place is probably insured, and he’ll think it’s sweet you care enough to fight for him.


Excerpted from the M.S. Word version of Crappy Advice for a Happy Life. The ebook, paperback & hardcover contain interior design elements not present in this excerpt.


No activity yet

No updates yet.

Come back later to check for updates.

Comments

About the author

Kara Lane has published six books on various subjects. The common thread in her books is that she "cracked the code" on how to do something better - from thinking better to building a better wardrobe to creating a better life. Kara is also a CPA, CFE, and Financial Forensics Consultant. view profile

Published on January 01, 2025

Published by

20000 words

Worked with a Reedsy professional 🏆

Genre:Self-Help & Self-Improvement

Made with Reedsy
Learn more
Reviewed by