CGP Grey's sarcastic animated video adapted from the book How to Be Miserable, listing habits that reliably make people unhappy. By inverting the advice, it shows what to avoid and prompts reflection on goals and routines.
Why Hacker News points people here: HN recommends it widely in advice threads on depression, habits, and goal setting as a funny, memorable way to see what to do by seeing what not to do.
“Here's a great video going over the same concepts but in a humorous way.”HN comment, 2021
“i emplore you to not read this and watch this instead”
More rational treatment of what makes people miserable
Full comment
having been, for want of a better term, ‘highly miserable’ in the past, the entirety of this article comes across as insidiously toxic and detrimental to the mental well-being of those who are suffering. there is a.. loosely similar CGP Grey video, which approaches the matter in a much more rational context [1] for anyone suffering, i emplore you to not read this and watch this instead; [1] - this video
RecommendsbitsodaJun 2017
“CGP Grey recently posted a great video titled”
CGP Grey on ways to maximize misery
Full comment
CGP Grey recently posted a great video titled "7 Ways to Maximize Misery". It's worth checking out. this video
RecommendsrajangdavisJun 2017
“I liked this video that came out recently”
Video on behaviours that maximize misery, prompting goal setting
Full comment
I have most recently been trying to plan out at least 6 months ahead. How I am approaching this was inspired by some life events and some videos I had seen on Youtube. I really liked this video by Scott Hanselmann ( link ) about scaling yourself and I liked this video that came out recently ( this video ) about behaviours that maximize your misery. What I took from these two videos is that goals are important and in order to reach these goals, you need to find a way to keep yourself accountable without creating goals that are vague or unattainable. I have just started writing a bunch of to-do lists on Google Keep and then I try to group various tasks and assign 3 per day. The goal is to focus on 3 things per day that build into 3 major areas of focus for the week which fuels 3 goals for the month... and so forth. With that said, I missed some of the to-do's for a couple of days for this last week, but I prioritized other items that had come up spontaneously and completed the majority of the to-do's. At the very least, when I fail, I can at least look at what I had accomplished and not feel as bad. Hope this helps.
RecommendshencqSep 2017
“I thought this one was really funny [0].”
Funny CGP Grey video
Full comment
There are a lot. I thought this one was really funny [0]. This one I found very interesting [1]. Somewhat different, is the Hello Internet [2] podcast, which is by Grey and Brady Haran who you might know from the Numberphile youtube channel [3]. It's basically the 2 of them chatting about random stuff, but I find it very entertaining. [0] this video [1] link [2] link [3] link
RecommendscjenJun 2018
“CGP Grey made a great video [0] pretty similar to this”
Sarcastic video on physical habits that drive misery
Full comment
CGP Grey made a great video [0] pretty similar to this, it has a bunch of points about physical things (changing sleep schedule, staying indoors) and keeps the same sarcastic tone. [0] this video
RecommendsjgrowlJun 2018
“Sometimes it's more illustrative to look at what you can do to ensure you'll be depressed.”
Shows what to avoid by listing ways to be miserable
Full comment
Sometimes it's more illustrative to look at what you can do to ensure you'll be depressed. 7 Ways to Maximize Misery: this video
RecommendsJetroidJun 2020
“I'd recommend these[1] two[2] videos from CGP Grey to help.”
Things making you miserable and how to cope
Full comment
I'm doing well. Ironically I think I'm doing better now than I would have been if the pandemic didn't happen; but still not in a particularly good position. Optimistic, though! If you're struggling, it's probably because the systems that you put in place at the start of the pandemic have broken down. (Kinda like how we eventually forget/give up on New Years Resolutions...) I'd recommend these[1] two[2] videos from CGP Grey to help. The first talks about the kind of things that you might be doing that are making you miserable, and the second about specific ways in which we can cope with the pandemic (and specifically a lockdown, if you are still in one). Brief notes: Avoid doing any of these things: * Staying still, avoiding exercise * Having an irregular sleep schedule * Maximizing screen time; going to sleep looking at your phone, and using it as soon as you wake up * Encouraging negative emotions, eg: by looking at the news * Setting unmeasurable or unachievable goals. Waiting for motivation to strike. * Obsessing over trying to be happy. * Following your self-destructive impulses Partition your house/space into the following spaces, and try to obey these rules about the spaces: * A space for exercise. If you don't have equipment, you can do body weight exercises. If you have access to safe outdoor spaces, make sure to use that too. Make sure you set a minimum amount of time, and stick to it. * A space for sleep. Do not use your phone here. Do not eat here. Do not linger he
RecommendscosmojgJan 2021
“CGP Grey has an excellent video on this exact kind of goal setting”
CGP Grey on goal setting pitfalls
Full comment
CGP Grey has an excellent video on this exact kind of goal setting: this video And another on New Year's resolutions more generally: link
RecommendsmadmadsJul 2021
“may be easier to digest”
Easier-to-digest video version of a book on being miserable
Full comment
There is a good book employing the TRIZ mindset for self-improvement called "How to Be Miserable: 40 Strategies You Already Use"[0]. Although some of the outcomes the book lead you to can seem banal, if you approach them from the perspective of how to optimize misery, it can give you a new perspective. It certainly did for me in some areas. CGP Grey also made a video based on the book, called "7 Ways to Maximize Misery"[1] that may be easier to digest. [0] link [1] this video
RecommendsspurguDec 2021
“Here's a great video going over the same concepts but in a humorous way.”
Humorous take on the same concepts
Full comment
Here's a great video going over the same concepts but in a humorous way. 7 ways to maximize misery: this video
Recommendsextraduder_ireOct 2023
“still my favourite example of the format”
Example of teaching by telling people how to cause the problem
Full comment
I really like this format of telling people how to do the thing they don't want. Works way better, and is more memorable than doing the more common thing of telling people how to avoid the thing they don't want. CGP grey did a video like this that's still my favourite example of the format: this video
Cites itlj3Jul 2017
“Do the opposite of this video”
Used as inverse guide for habits
Full comment
1. Embrace the grind. Motivation comes and goes, but the grind remains. This doesn't mean working all day every day, but rather setting aside specific blocks of time and doing the same thing every single day. Workouts should happen at the same time every day. Work should happen at the same time every day. Each of these things should be daily habits and doing them at the same time every day helps them become habits. 2. Avoid flow[0]. It's tempting, seducing and addicting, but you don't learn anything when you're in a state of flow. Anything sufficiently hard as to improve your skills should leave you feeling a little frustrated. Get used to that feeling. 3. Drop TV, Porn, news, music and video games. These things all give you rewards without having to do any work. In doing so, they steal your motivation and energy. 4. Stop eating sugar. If you want to get things done, strive for a steady blood sugar level. It's hard to work when your blood sugar drops and you fall asleep at your desk. 5. Sleep during the hours of 10pm and 2am[1]. That's when your body makes most of the hormones you need every day. 6. Do the opposite of this video: 7 ways to maximize misery by CGP Grey: this video [0]: link [1]: link
Cites itJBlue42Feb 2018Full comment
Hang in there. There are some great replies here that I hope you take to heart, especially the psychological side of it. It sounds like you haven't been through this before (it still sucks regardless of how many times it happens). Some practical questions: 1) Were you fired or laid off? There is a difference and it especially makes a difference when you apply for unemployment. How did HR or your manager frame it? 2) UI. I see you already applied which is great. The process is different in every state (assuming you're American here so correct me if I'm wrong). In CA, it takes about 2-3 weeks after you apply to get your first check. 3) Follow what the others said about confirming what they are going to say about you if someone calls for references. Most companies now cover their asses by only giving dates of employment, even if you were were a great employee. 4) If you made good friends at the company, they're probably wondering what happened to you as well. Be sure to reach out, go for a drink or two, etc. I still have drinks and am good friends with people from various jobs throughout the years, some of which ended like this. When I was laid off from my last job, my personal phone and email blew up because the only thing the company said was "X is no longer with us" in an email 5) Give yourself a certain amount of time to look over and reflect on what went right and what went wrong but then cut it off and don't dwell. There are probably mistakes made on both sides that you ca
Cites itcassepipeMar 2021
“Relevant videos”
Relevant videos on spaces and habits
Full comment
True. But you also need empty space not to feel trapped in a cage or else you'll catch that cabin fever. You can always go the park provided you got into that discipline, that you there is a park less than ten minutes away or that it's not too cold/raining/snowing: Not ideal. And it might a shitty square surrounded by cars. Mentally, it is also very helpful to have separate spaces for different aspects of your life. When your room is also your office and your kitchen, it doesn't make for good sleep, good work or good cooking. Relevant videos : this videolink
Cites itandredzJun 2021
“The way of presenting reminded me of this video”
Similar inverted presentation style
Full comment
The way of presenting reminded me of this video: this video (7 Ways to Maximize Misery) and also reminded me of the 10 commandments.
Cites itPaul_ClaytonMar 2026
“which is not specifically about loneliness”
Ways to maximize misery, not specifically about loneliness
Full comment
This reminded me of the CPC Grey video "7 Ways to Maximize Misery" this video (which is not specifically about loneliness). That video did not really include self-medicating (except as screen time can be self-medicating for boredom and tiredness); I tend to self-medicate anxiety by simple logic games (picmi, sudoku, kmines — all but the last also avoid failure) which wastes a lot of time. (Drinking water seems to be a somewhat less harmful form of self-medication; it has similar sensory benefits to eating — not as attractive as sweet, salty, fatty foods but it seems somewhat similar — and distraction but overdrinking water seems more difficult.) Written from my allroom.
Cites itJoel_MckayJun 2026
“Simply avoiding misery is not the whole equation.”
Full comment
>Would you think there's a perfect formula The advice comes from coursework most medical students must do in year 2. It is backed by research data on integrated healthcare programs. Simply avoiding misery is not the whole equation. =3 this video
JokeJoel_MckayJul 2025
“A funny post about what not to do”
Full comment
I have a buddy that ended up in a ward, and still phones from time to time. The 3rd generation medications keep his cycles under control fairly well. Note, prior to being processed by our medical system. These same a--hole sycophantic dealers would target vulnerable people with BS treatments all the time. Talk with your doctor, get out for a walk every morning, and try out cognitive behavioral therapy when you are ready. =3 A funny post about what not to do: this video
