YOLO

I saw a post on Facebook this week that was a link to a BuzzFeed blog about the top “30 signs you’re almost 30.” It was a pretty funny blog.. most of it was spot on. Reason #21 “Teen slang makes you viscerally angry.” Was accompanied with this photo:

Ah .. YOLO.

I have to agree. This is one teen slang that does make me viscerally angry, but not just because its teen slang.

The first time I ‘heard’ it was in a Facebook status:

 “Gonna party hard tonight! #YOLO #Drunk” (also viscerally angry over the use of hash tags on Facebook. But that’s a completely different story.)

I had to turn to my good friend, Google, for a definition of this new mystery term.

Turns out YOLO is an acronym meaning “You Only Live Once.” How clever.

I have found a disheartening trend with the use of this phrase..? Word..? Saying..? Whatever.

YOLO is generally used as a rationalization for doing something totally irresponsible, plain stupid, or otherwise ‘naughty.’

Tell me if any of these scenarios sound familiar:

 “I probably shouldn’t go out tonight and do 8 shots of tequila. But YOLO! Let’s DO IT!”

“I should be eating healthy but that chocolate cake looks amazing and hey- YOLO. Right?!”

“I can’t really afford to go to Vegas and spend every cent I have on hookers and blow..oh well.. YOLO!” 

Okay this last one might be a slight exaggeration. But you get the point.

Why is it that the idea that “you only live once” is a green light to damage your body, spend money on stupid things and avoid responsibility?

Not to be Negative Nancy…. But SERIOUSLY?!

Here’s what I think of when I think YOLO:

-       I have ONE shot at this life. One shot to be the best version of me, to spend my days living my purpose and to be generally as awesome as possible.

-       I have one body. One chance to live in a way that doesn’t add up to obesity, diabetes, cancer or liver failure.

-       I have one opportunity to make a good first impression on people that I might have to see in the morning or in another social or professional setting.

-       I have one opportunity to raise happy, healthy children.

-       I have ONE life and IF I BLOW IT, I can’t take it back.

I am definitely not perfect. I have definitely done things that were irresponsible, stupid or otherwise naughty. But I do not justify those actions it as moments when I got to “live a little.”

Why is it that if you are being responsible, healthy and making good decisions you’re boring and rigid?

Who decided that ‘being human’ and ‘living life to the fullest’ had to mean partying, boozing and eating crappy food?

If you only live once, the best moments should be the ones where you are expressing the most life, not the ones that bring you closer to death.

This week try to eat all By Design, get in an extra work out, spend more time out side or think about your life purpose – because YOLO! And when you do, I’d love to hear about it in our comments.