Some of you might be familiar with the fuck it button. I’d be surprised if someone had no experience with it or something similar. This one button can have a surprisingly strong impact on our lives for many reasons, which this article will explore.
What Is The Fuck It Button
The fuck it button is a term used to describe a mindset or attitude that can have two outcomes: giving up or throwing caution to the wind and doing it. The fuck it button is at its most tempting to press when faced with difficult situations, such as stress, anxiety, challenges in life, or most commonly when a craving hits.
The fuck it button can be both a blessing and a curse. It can lead us to do things that we know we shouldn’t, such as staying out late when we have work the next day (Stroude, 2017). But it can also be an act of defiance and strength to push us out of our comfort zone and take a risk that has positive connotations and leads to growth.
When we hit the fuck it button for more negative reasons, it might provide us temporary relief, but it can also have negative consequences on our mental wellbeing. It can lead to a feeling of helplessness and a lack of control, as well as a lack of motivation and purpose. It’s this use of the fuck it button that’s the problem, because it’s self-sabotaging.
When To Hit The Fuck It Button
Using the fuck it button is healthy when it helps us break free from overthinking, perfectionism, or inaction. It’s a way to move from a state of mental paralysis to a state of action, even if the action is imperfect.
Perfectionism
When we’re paralysed by perfectionism, stuck endlessly refining a project, a decision, or a plan because we’re afraid it’s not “perfect“, hitting the fuck it button can give us the push we need to launch, publish, or move on. It’s a tool for letting go of control that perfectionism has over us, while also taking control.
For example, we may be trying to complete a DIY project, and although it looks good enough, we may not feel it’s perfect, and thus keep trying to make it better. Hitting the fuck it button here and accepting that good enough is, in fact, good enough, frees us from that weight of perfectionism. I did that a lot in my last DIY project. This is what I do with blogging: I only allow myself to review my drafts once, because I can get trapped in a perfection loop.
Stuck in a rut
If we’re bored or stagnant in our careers, relationships, or personal lives, this moment can be a catalyst for change. It’s the decision to finally book that trip, apply for that new job, or end that unfulfilling relationship. It’s an act of courage.
Overthinking
The fuck it button can be a way to interrupt a cycle of endless analysis and worry. It’s a decisive psychological command to stop dwelling on all the possible negative outcomes and simply move forward.
Releasing emotional tension
Sometimes, a moment of “fuck it” is a powerful emotional release. It’s a way to express pent-up frustration and anxiety, allowing us to move past it.
How To Avoid Hitting The Fuck It Button When It’s Not In Our Best Interest
Practice self-awareness
It’s important to be aware of our thoughts and emotions. So try to identify when we are feeling overwhelmed or stressed. This can help us take action before we reach the point of wanting to give up and hit the fuck it button.
Set realistic goals
Often, when goal setting, we set goals that are too big or unrealistic. Therefore, break down large tasks into smaller, manageable goals. Consider setting SMART goals to make sure they’re realistic and achievable. This can help us avoid feeling overwhelmed and discouraged.
Mindfulness
If we find ourselves tempted to hit the fuck it button, then instead of giving in, try using some mindfulness techniques or breathing exercises.
Prioritise self-care
The better we take care of our physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing by eating well, getting enough sleep, engaging in physical activity, and practising relaxation techniques, the better we’ll be able to resist the fuck it button.
Reach out for support
Remember that it is okay to ask for help if we feel we need it. We don’t have to face difficult situations alone or give up completely. Reach out to friends, family, or a mental health professional for support and guidance. Our social support network is there to help us.
Practice positive self-talk
If you’re anything like me, then negative self-talk is an issue. Therefore, challenge negative self-talk and replace it with positive affirmations. This can help us maintain a more positive mindset and stay motivated.
Celebrate your successes
Another way to help maintain a more positive mindset is to take time to celebrate our accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem. This can help us maintain a sense of progress and momentum in a world that is often painted grey with negativity.
Cravings and triggers
Work on our craving and trigger management to avoid them leading to us hitting the fuck it button. This is especially important when it comes to food cravings if you’re someone like me, overweight and prediabetic.
If we eat poorly or have been skipping meals, it’s so very tempting to hit the fuck it button and order a takeaway. Or we might go out to meet friends in a bar with no intention to drink, but before we know it, we’ve hit the fuck it button and we’re already four drinks in (Keane, 2019).
I have such a bad relationship with food and a history of eating disorders that my first instinct is to starve myself until I can’t take it anymore (I get the shakes), all while my brain is suggesting I eat chocolate. Such a limited selection of foods has flavour to me, so I tend to give in to that craving, or switch to a takeaway as I pretend that’s a healthier compromise. So I hit that fuck it button several times a week.
Another thing to consider doing is to learn how to urge surf, which can be an effective tool for managing cravings, even in addiction, as cravings will pass.
Summary
Remember that everyone faces challenges in life, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed or discouraged at times. But by practising these strategies and others, and taking care of ourselves, we can avoid hitting the fuck it button and stay motivated to achieve our goals.
Thus, instead of pressing the fuck it button, it is important to practice self-care and use coping strategies to manage difficult situations. This can include seeking support from friends or a mental health professional, practising mindfulness or relaxation techniques, engaging in physical activity and hobbies, and setting realistic goals.
With time, patience, and practice, we can develop healthy coping strategies and manage stress and challenges more positively. But also remember that if we get stuck, such as being trapped by perfectionism, then the fuck it button can be exactly what we need.
As you can see, the fuck it button can mean more than one thing and be used in different ways, some good, some not so good. What does it mean for you, and how do you use it?
As always, leave your feedback in the comments section below. Also, please share your experiences with hitting the fuck it button in the comments section below as well. Don’t forget, if you want to stay up-to-date with my blog, you can sign up for my newsletter below. Alternatively, click the red bell icon in the bottom right corner to get push notifications for new articles.
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References
Keane, B. (2019, November). Do THIS before you press the ‘F*ck It’ button!. Brian Keane Fitness. Retrieved from https://briankeanefitness.com/do-this-before-you-press-the-fck-it-button.
Stroude, W. (2017, January). Matthew Todd | New Year’s resolutions and pressing ‘the f**k it button’. Attitude. Retrieved from https://www.attitude.co.uk/uncategorised/matthew-todd-new-years-resolutions-and-pressing-the-fk-it-button-291294.