I fucking hate YOLO…. Really fucking hate YOLO. Now for those of you who may not know YOLO means “you only live once”. The idea behind that, so I am told, is to remind people that they only have one life to live so live it up. The sentiment itself I don’t really have an issue with, I hear the sentiment often and read many inspiring quotes about it: “Carpe Diem” (Latin for “Seize the Day”) is the first that springs to mind. “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” - Oscar Wilde. “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” - Mae West. “The most important thing is to enjoy your life - to be happy - it’s all that matters.” - Audrey Hepburn. “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” - Abraham Lincoln.
Now I will grant you a few things… First of all “YOLO” is quick and easy to say and remember. And with the attention spans in our society at an all time low having something quick and easy to say and recognize saves time. Secondly “YOLO” is “hip and trendy”(something I am not) hip and trendy means it will be easily recognized and allow you an automatic in with a random group of strangers you need to impress. And finally I will grant you that “YOLO” is much shorter, and for people looking for a tattoo to remind them to live life to the fullest, while on a tight budget and a low tolerance for pain, it is a perfect fit.
Having said that, and sharing with you some quotes that express the sentiment that I actually enjoy and find inspirational, I still fucking hate “YOLO”. I hate “YOLO” because it is the embodiment of a self indulgent, narcissistic and callous culture that we seem to have been cultivating in some sections of our population. I have seen selfies of people in various exceptionally dangerous situations with the hashtag “YOLO” (for the record I hate selfies too but that is another rant). I have seen pictures taken by people doing exceptionally dangerous things and positing it to social media, again with the hashtag “YOLO”. And with some of these photographs we find out that a person was seriously injured or even killed shortly after posting that picture (usually from the exceptionally stupid thing they share, like drinking and driving!).
I have seen less drastic “YOLO” pictures, pictures where I know the person lived to see tomorrow… this time. I have seen pictures of binge drinking, pictures of playing stupid chicken games on highway’s and railroad tracks. I have seen picture of people smoking tobacco products and other products, I have seen lots of pictures of food and fashion, pictures of ladies with boobs hanging out, of men working out and showing off muscles, way too many duck faces and I have seen “Funeral Selfies” with the “YOLO” hashtage (and when the FUCK did that become a thing?!?!)
In my experience with the word “YOLO” embraces a very crass attitude of “screw the consequences, screw the people around me, I will do what I want”. This arrogance and narcissism pisses me off. There are people out there who love you, who want you to be safe, not binge drinking yourself into a coma because “YOLO”. In addition to that your actions will not only affect those whom love you most, but the first responders at the scene of your messy demise, who will have to carry the image of the results of your “YOLO” for the rest of their lives (PTSD rates amongst first responders vary but sit higher than the average population due to the nature of their jobs).
Like I said, the sentiment itself does not bother me. I encourage everyone to live full, happy and healthy lives. Save up and go on an awesome vacation, buy that special someone a gift just because, meet new and exciting people, try new things, take up hobbies, volunteer with a cause you find worthy, watch as many sunsets as you can and stargaze every time you step outside. The words of this are correct, you do only live once.
Even as a Pagan who believes that my soul will be born again on this world I know that right here, right now is amazing and precious. There will never be another person like me, with all my experiences, with all the people and animals I have filled my life with. Even if I have a billion lifetimes there will never be another like the one I have right here, right now. I know my life (and everyone else’s life) is a precious and rare thing in our universe, I am living a very full and very rich life. I am 31 years old and if I’m lucky I will live to be in my 80’s or 90’s. That means I have at most 50-60 years left, so precious little time to live a life that will never again happen. I am not throwing it away because of the “YOLO” attitude.
I will watch every sunrise and sunset I can, I will tell those around me I love them every chance I get, I will hold a friend’s hand when that person is hurt, and celebrate their successes as if they were the greatest thing ever accomplished. I will help people and animals, as many as I can. I will use the good towels (although maybe not the fine china since I tend to drop things when I trip over my own two feet). I will travel and see everything I can, I will learn new skills and new hobbies, I will do the things that scare me to better myself. I will remember the precious gift I have and will make sure that I do not squander it doing something immensely stupid. I will remember that every action I take has a consequence and will do my best to choose the actions that will bring the most joy and the least sorrow. I will live a great life for myself, and for those I love because they matter too.
Now I will grant you a few things… First of all “YOLO” is quick and easy to say and remember. And with the attention spans in our society at an all time low having something quick and easy to say and recognize saves time. Secondly “YOLO” is “hip and trendy”(something I am not) hip and trendy means it will be easily recognized and allow you an automatic in with a random group of strangers you need to impress. And finally I will grant you that “YOLO” is much shorter, and for people looking for a tattoo to remind them to live life to the fullest, while on a tight budget and a low tolerance for pain, it is a perfect fit.
Having said that, and sharing with you some quotes that express the sentiment that I actually enjoy and find inspirational, I still fucking hate “YOLO”. I hate “YOLO” because it is the embodiment of a self indulgent, narcissistic and callous culture that we seem to have been cultivating in some sections of our population. I have seen selfies of people in various exceptionally dangerous situations with the hashtag “YOLO” (for the record I hate selfies too but that is another rant). I have seen pictures taken by people doing exceptionally dangerous things and positing it to social media, again with the hashtag “YOLO”. And with some of these photographs we find out that a person was seriously injured or even killed shortly after posting that picture (usually from the exceptionally stupid thing they share, like drinking and driving!).
I have seen less drastic “YOLO” pictures, pictures where I know the person lived to see tomorrow… this time. I have seen pictures of binge drinking, pictures of playing stupid chicken games on highway’s and railroad tracks. I have seen picture of people smoking tobacco products and other products, I have seen lots of pictures of food and fashion, pictures of ladies with boobs hanging out, of men working out and showing off muscles, way too many duck faces and I have seen “Funeral Selfies” with the “YOLO” hashtage (and when the FUCK did that become a thing?!?!)
In my experience with the word “YOLO” embraces a very crass attitude of “screw the consequences, screw the people around me, I will do what I want”. This arrogance and narcissism pisses me off. There are people out there who love you, who want you to be safe, not binge drinking yourself into a coma because “YOLO”. In addition to that your actions will not only affect those whom love you most, but the first responders at the scene of your messy demise, who will have to carry the image of the results of your “YOLO” for the rest of their lives (PTSD rates amongst first responders vary but sit higher than the average population due to the nature of their jobs).
Like I said, the sentiment itself does not bother me. I encourage everyone to live full, happy and healthy lives. Save up and go on an awesome vacation, buy that special someone a gift just because, meet new and exciting people, try new things, take up hobbies, volunteer with a cause you find worthy, watch as many sunsets as you can and stargaze every time you step outside. The words of this are correct, you do only live once.
Even as a Pagan who believes that my soul will be born again on this world I know that right here, right now is amazing and precious. There will never be another person like me, with all my experiences, with all the people and animals I have filled my life with. Even if I have a billion lifetimes there will never be another like the one I have right here, right now. I know my life (and everyone else’s life) is a precious and rare thing in our universe, I am living a very full and very rich life. I am 31 years old and if I’m lucky I will live to be in my 80’s or 90’s. That means I have at most 50-60 years left, so precious little time to live a life that will never again happen. I am not throwing it away because of the “YOLO” attitude.
I will watch every sunrise and sunset I can, I will tell those around me I love them every chance I get, I will hold a friend’s hand when that person is hurt, and celebrate their successes as if they were the greatest thing ever accomplished. I will help people and animals, as many as I can. I will use the good towels (although maybe not the fine china since I tend to drop things when I trip over my own two feet). I will travel and see everything I can, I will learn new skills and new hobbies, I will do the things that scare me to better myself. I will remember the precious gift I have and will make sure that I do not squander it doing something immensely stupid. I will remember that every action I take has a consequence and will do my best to choose the actions that will bring the most joy and the least sorrow. I will live a great life for myself, and for those I love because they matter too.
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