Could your life be better? Yes! Not due to a lack of effort on your part but because you are too nice and allow problematic people into your life. The ONLY thing that matters is YOU and YOUR Opinions! “It’s Not You (It’s Them): A Guide to Your Perfect Bubble,” advocates self-segregating into bubbles for optimal life satisfaction. In a radical departure from traditional approaches for individuals who want to improve their life by advising people to change themselves to meet the expectations of others, the message is simple – don’t allow problematic and irritating people into their lives. “Human intolerants are normal and healthy people that simply have higher standards and expectations,” said Vandell. “It’s similar to how listening to bad music doesn’t help you appreciate music more. It is the same with people – to love them you have to avoid most of them.” The book is written in short, bite-sized chapters designed to console and let people know they’re not alone. Being irritated by annoying people isn’t due to any unfounded prejudice or ill-will. It’s simply a rational reaction that’s been triggered within them. “My hope is that this book will pave the way to make it acceptable in society to openly come out as “human intolerant” and for people to be allowed to self-segregate from those that sabotage their quality of life,” said Vandell. While it’s impossible to avoid all problems and irritations, the author notes that avoiding annoying people and situations can be significantly reduced with conscious, deliberate and disciplined planning to create a personal bubble of calm. People are programmed from the cradle to be “nice” to others, but each person’s identity and quality of life is shaped by who and what they allow into their lives. Dealing with difficult people is exhausting, frustrating and counterproductive. Leading researchers and experts in disciplines ranging from psychology and social anthropology to political science agree that the idea of “non-problematic people” avoiding “problematic people” is simple yet powerful and has the potential for creating world peace. “It’s Not You (It’s Them): A Guide to Your Perfect Bubble” (ISBN 1548385026) explains to readers how to survive among “problematic people” and create a shield to improve their overall quality of life.
Happiness is about how you react to what happens to you.
Quality of life depends on who and what you can shield yourself from.
Problems are mostly the consequence of allowing problematic people into your life. WELCOME TO THE Choose a social environment free from irritation and frustration - far from intolerable people and situations. URGENT CALL TO ACTION! 1. Protect your social environment from intrusions. 2. Inoculate yourself from the need to seek approval. 3. Don’t measure yourself and your achievements against others. The humor in this book does not make the message any less valid.
One of my most favorite passages from the book is:
“No one believes that listening to and tolerating bad music helps them love music more. It is the same with people – to love them you have to avoid most of them...”
I think this book has an important message for people of all ages, especially youngsters, who step out into the world believing that the more friends they make along the way, the better their lives would be.
This book doesn't state that the more interactions you have, the more disastrous your life would be. Instead, it inspires you to place greater value on your social environment and make space to focus on the important aspects of your life rather than inviting in unnecessary drama. Because, life is too short to be living with those who drain your peace of mind.