The phrase "YOLO" has become a popular mantra for teenagers and young adults, often used to justify taking risks and living life to the fullest. But the mantra is completely wrong, you LIVE every day...
YOLO fails to convey that every day is a new opportunity to make choices, learn from our mistakes, build on yesterday and grow as individuals.
I've always felt that YOLO doesn't make sense (I'm a logical person, drives my wife mad, sorry). Everybody hopefully has a number of distinct lives. For example, childhood, teenage years, young adult, adult, and pensioner. Some people would have a different life before and after that fantastic job they have, and some before and after getting married or having children. Each one of these is a different life.
Isn't it obvious that YOLO is clearly wrong? We may have one birth and death, but we have many lives in between.
The Mantra doesn't actually mean we only live once, it's an excuse to make impulsive decisions or engage in risky behaviours without considering the consequences. That's all very well when you're young, but then boring adulthood comes and ruins all the impulses you dare to want!
YODO - You Only DIE Once
Instead of focusing on YOLO, let's embrace the idea of YODO
We really do only die once, our time on this earth can be prompt and final and that thought should encourage us to live each day with intention and purpose, knowing that our actions now will impact our future.
The concept of YODO encourages us to focus on our life's goals, passions, needs, and desires. Embracing this mindset should lead to a more meaningful and fulfilling life. Setting goals gives us something to strive for and makes each day more purposeful. It's important to let go of past mistakes and avoid dwelling on bad decisions. Instead, we should focus on enjoying the present moment while being mindful of our future.
Practicing gratitude is another key aspect of this philosophy. Taking time each day to appreciate the good things in our lives, both big and small, helps us focus on the positive and live with more joy. Additionally, taking care of ourselves physically and mentally is crucial. Ensuring we get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly contributes to our overall well-being.
Surrounding ourselves with positive and supportive people is also essential. Being in the company of those who encourage us to be our best selves can have a significant impact on our happiness and success. Remember, you only die once, but you live every day.
I'm using the new year to take stock, as most other people seem to be doing, and the YODO mantra is going to be a big part of my future thinking.
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