“Yolo” stands for “you only live once." You hear it everywhere— it’s the trendy and massively popular term meant to inspire and light a fire under every living soul.
“I’m going on that blind date tonight, yolo.”
“Should I buy these shoes I can’t afford? Whatever, yolo.”
“I’m driving to California tomorrow because #yolo. Bye.”
In the casual sense of the term, I am in full support. Taking chances and acting impulsively holds the endless possibility of leading to beautiful things. And in life it’s important to acknowledge the power of “yes” rather than allowing the debilitation of a fearful “no” block your path. Say “yes” to the blind date. Say “yes” to expensive shoes. Say “yes” to a spontaneous California road trip (but say “NO” to creepy possible serial killer hitchhikers on such a California road trip).
But, what does “yolo” really mean? You only live once. There is only a limited period in which you will be alive, only a set amount of time you are given to leave your mark and do whatever it is that you want to do. After time runs out, however long that time may be, you’re done. No second chances—you better do what you want to do, ASAP. The clock is ticking… time is slipping away by the second… better hurry or you’ll be a failure, destined for incompleteness forever, sorry about your luck. Okay, you get my point.
I hate “yolo” because it gives me anxiety. “Yolo” needs to go away.
“You only live once” is supposed to serve the purpose of inspiration and motivation, but it really just disrupts the natural flow of events and creates panic. “OH MY GOD, I NEED TO FINISH COLLEGE, GET A JOB, TRAVEL TO PARIS, WALK ACROSS THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA, START MY OWN BUSINESS, CHANGE THE WORLD, FALL IN LOVE, AND GET A NOSE RING ALL BEFORE I DIE OR I’M GOING TO BE SUCH AN UNIMPRESSIVE, UNACCOMPLISHED FAILURE."
No, that’s not the way life works. You have time and you’re just fine, right now, in this moment. You can’t rush life and you can’t do everything in one day. All you can do is be gentle with yourself, take life one day at a time, and try your best. That will always be enough. Have trust and faith in the process—the never failing process of the universe’s perfect timing. Everything will unfold when it’s supposed to, and everything that is meant for you won’t skip you.
How do we even know that we only live once, anyways? We don’t. There is literally no way for anyone on this planet to know that. “You only live once” is probably the biggest lie ever. Sure, I bet I wasn’t Danniah Daher in a past life, but maybe I was Grace Kelly or Jacqueline Kennedy. I mean, that’s technically not impossible, and a girl can dream. I could rock a royal or presidential wardrobe so hard any day; therefore, I think the answer we're looking for is obvious. Maybe we live multiple times—even many, many times—and with each life comes more success, greater meaning, and a deeper sense of self.
Maybe “Yolo” means absolutely nothing, nothing at all.
