IDGAF — The Motto That Will Liberate You

The best attitude adjustment that I have ever made — and you should too

I am one of those semi-purists who cringe at the sight or sound of a random slang acronym. OMG, LOL, LMFAO, BFF, and the whole lot.

Yet, I may have had to make one major exception to my dislike for these terms. A term that I have not only decided to “tolerate” but I have decided to make it my motto for life.

It is something we have all felt or said in times of desperation or annoyance — at least in spirit if not in the exact same words — I Don’t Give A F**k or commonly used as IDGAF.

But isn’t that an escapist attitude? Or even complacent? Not caring or being complacent is what you would associate with people who don’t care about things enough.

Not really.

This is a different kind of realization that we must all learn to have at some point. And you’ll find yourself in situations where all you need to do is tell yourself “IDGAF” and it will all be better. Here’s what I mean.

Learn to Trust Yourself, and the World Will Trust You

Have you found yourself having a lot of conviction in something and yet not sure if others agree with you?

Or, alternately in a situation where you are apparently the only one who seems to disagree with an opinion that’s being expressed, or so it seems from everyone else in the room nodding blindly.

More often than not, there are others that feel the same, but are just afraid to express it as you are.

The fear?

“What if I am the only one and others think I am stupid”

The solution?

IDGAF.

The moment you stop worrying about what others think and tell yourself that you don’t care and you’re going to express your agreement or disagreement with full conviction, everything will line up. The problem is when you express your opinion timidly with not enough assertion — no one believes you because you don’t believe yourself.

The moment you say the same thing with complete confidence, people are forced to agree with you. Because the reality is most people are only half-convinced on everything, and they’re waiting for someone else’s conviction to tilt the scales.

It’s Time to Ask For What’s Owed to You

Have you ever found yourself doubting yourself when it is time to take credit for a job well done?

When it is time for the year-end bonus or that pay hike or that promotion, do you feel awkward going and telling your boss that you deserve a raise?

I’ve been there in all these positions. Why? Just because it is an awkward conversation to have — boasting isn’t for everyone. It takes a certain level of shamelessness to be able to claim your due, just because the world has hardwired you to think that way.

The reality is — it isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the ONLY thing you should do. Stop worrying about coming across as too direct or tooting your own horn. Coz if you won’t toot your own horn, no one will. So next time you think what the other person will think about you if you ask for some credit — think:

I D G A F.

If The People Around You are Being Daft, It’s Time to Let Them Know

I’ve constantly struggled with the societal norms and expectations of being polite.

If someone makes an obvious blunder, reminding them politely by saying “I think you forgot this” or “I think you meant this” or “While this is a great idea, I think we should approach this in a different way”.

This most often happens in a work setting, but even in personal situations just as often.

Have you ever sat around with friends, family, or colleagues and had this one “know-it-all” talk about something he has no idea about, in a manner that suggests he knows it all. Especially when the others are just as ill-informed about the topic that he sounds smart on baseless facts.

Happens to me all the time — especially being an Indian living abroad. A bunch of folks who’ve been to India ONCE decide to tell the world about all the stereotypes and how they’re true while having zero basis for their claims.

Most often, I’d let it be and just feel amused in my own mind. But not anymore.

Because, IDGAF. Not anymore.

Not about what the person would think about me or how it would affect our rapport.

I’d quite blatantly interrupt the person in the middle of the conversation and make sure I correct all the false claims, even if it means making them look bad. Because, sometimes, that’s the only option to ensure there is no repeat of the same situation. Similarly, at work when people are trying to step on your toes or being unreasonable — it is OK to call a spade a spade.

It’s Time to Drop the Fake Social Image

When you’re picking what to wear for a party, or for a conference, or for just a meet-up with friends, how often do you pick what you find most comfortable or what you’re feeling like wearing?

And how often do you pick what will “look best” on you or will likely impress the people you’re meeting?

When you express an opinion, how often are you worried about being “politically or socially” correct and not saying the wrong thing? Especially in an over-critical world that we live in today, where every word and opinion is overly scrutinized.

Thanks to social media and everything being “judged” we’ve all started to live more for external validation than for our own happiness and desires.

It’s time to change that, and there’s nothing better to liberate you than the simple attitude adjustment to — IDGAF.

So, next time you think a certain supposedly “equal rights” policy is actually a farce or an eyewash — don’t be afraid to call it out. Don’t go bashing “Cuties” coz it seems like the right thing to do. Don’t go up in arms with a “seemingly” sexist comment where in reality it was misrepresented to be so. Have your own opinion, and be comfortable with it, without wanting to comply with a “desired” social image.

So the next time anything is keeping you down or you’re feeling cornered, try saying to yourself — I Don’t Give a F**k. And half your worries will go away and you’ll feel empowered to tackle or face whatever is left to face. It works for me, there isn’t any reason it won’t work for you!