YOLO should not become a habit.
Before I go any further, YOLO (for those of you who don’t know) stands for “You Only Live Once.”
Catchy right?
But living in the mindset of YOLO and letting it become a habit can hinder your goals.
I know, I know, sometimes it’s nice to splurge on that ice cream sundae or spend a little extra to get that item on your wishlist. Who doesn’t enjoy spoiling themselves a little bit? And you should!
But that’s just it, YOLO isn’t meant to be a constant state of mind. It’s meant to give you permission to “treat yourself” (Parks n Rec anyone?).
The minute it becomes a constant in your life is the minute your life takes a turn. Why? Because no one ever did anything worth remembering by saying “YOLO.”
It’s easy to think, I’m going to do whatever I want, YOLO. But let me ask you, do you ever feel better after you did whatever it is you thought you had to do? Maybe sometimes, but I would guess not always.
This state of mind can lead you towards things like having no savings, feeling overweight, working a job you don’t love, or living in the same awful apartment for 10 years. Is that really living life to the fullest?
Personally, I don’t think so.
Wouldn’t you rather truly live as if you only had one life?
I would.
Living this way takes a different mindset. A mindset of dedication, perseverance, and diligence.
What if instead of saying YOLO, we say yes to our goals and dreams.
Now maybe you’re reading this and thinking:
Why is she trying to tell me how to live my life?
I’m happy as I am.
I can do whatever I want.
And that may be true. But let me ask you a question.
What are your goals?
I’m sure you have lots of goals, dreams, and things you hope to do or accomplish in your life. Maybe you want to become proficient at an instrument, learn to code, complete an Iron Man, or bike across the country.
Me? I’d love to write a book, learn to play the oboe, buy a house.
These are great goals, but here’s another question.
How do you plan to accomplish these goals?
Last time I checked, no one can master an instrument overnight or run a marathon without rigorous training.
These goals take dedication, perseverance, and diligence.
Saving money is hard. Training your body for an athletic event can be grueling. Writer’s block is a hurdle.
But giving your mind the opportunity to overcome these challenges is the first step toward accomplishing your goals.
Putting a savings plan in place rather than online shopping, deciding to exercise over watching Netflix, and writing a mediocre rough draft rather than nothing at all – these are the steps towards truly living a life of purpose.
Having dedication, persevering through the difficulties, and being diligent even when you don’t feel like it, are keys to a life of joy and gratitude. It may sound backwards to say that. But I know that every time I make a choice that takes work, I feel better and more satisfied with myself on the other side (i.e. I’m the one trying to decide whether to exercise or watch Netflix, let’s be real).
When you look back on your life, where do you want to be?
Psychologist, Angela Duckworth, says it well, “Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.”
She’s right.
Endurance is rare.
But it doesn’t have to be for you. Are you willing to say no to the instant gratification of YOLO in order to say yes to living your life?
I hope so. Because you’re worth it.
Leave me a comment, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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