What’s the difference between “I couldn’t care less if I tried” and “not having a care in the world”?
In both instances, we are not caring. Or at least, we care very little. And yet, one is something of an aspirational reverie. A positive thing to look forward to. Whilst the other is considered disparaging. Scornful. Even selfish.
So, how can two phrases that essentially mean the same thing, trigger such different responses?
Not a Care in the World
There’s something wistful about not having a care in the world.
Increasingly busy and chaotic lives lead to a yearning for a moment’s peace and tranquillity. A chance to let go of all responsibilities. To care less about everyday things and care more about yourself.
This isn’t selfish. It’s self-care.
And it’s allowed.
Otherwise, we burn out.
The important distinction to make here is, not having a care in the world does not mean you do not care. It means that you are choosing to opt-out of caring about everyone and everything else, in order to focus on yourself and your needs.
When we allow ourselves this detachment and force ourselves to relax and let go we do so from a position of self-awareness. We recognise that we need to care less about things on our periphery and care more about ourselves. That is if we wish to continue to function with empathy, generosity and kindness.
But then there’s the flip side.
I Couldn’t Care Less if I Tried
At the point of emotional overload and information overwhelm it becomes almost impossible to act with empathy and generosity. The fuse is short. We become reactionary and abrasive.
As a result, we find ourselves in an exhausted, defensive and negative mindset where we simply couldn’t care less. And to hell with everything and everyone else.
But these are just empty words borne out of emotional fatigue because we haven’t taken the time to care more for ourselves.
Again, this doesn’t mean we don’t care. It just means that, at this point, we have nothing left to give and are therefore beyond caring about anything else other than our own needs. In effect, the balance needs to be redressed. We’ve simply let it slip too far and now we have to pick up the pieces.
The Choice
Ultimately, it all comes down to choice. But this choice is somewhat fraught.
It all boils down to how you deal with perception. More specifically; how people perceive you as a result of your choice. Perhaps even more specifically; how you believe people may perceive you as a result of your choice.
No one wants to look bad. We don’t want to come across as uncaring or selfish. But sometimes, we need to be. And we have to be ok with that. For ourselves and for others.
That’s why we need to choose what we care about.
Also, we shouldn’t feel bad for not caring about something that someone else really cares about.
In short, it’s ok not to care about everything.
You can’t. So, don’t feel guilty about it.
Care less about everything.
Care more about the things that are important to you.
