A Contemporary Trend

There's this aspect of YOLO that I simply can't wrap my head around, not that I believe we only live once but more so why perceiving that we only live once is pushing people towards immediate gratification rather than long-term planning.

Of course, like many things in life, there are both good and bad aspects of it, and it'll be totally unfair to focus on the bad without shedding light on the good side first.

So what do I really admire about the You Only Live Once attitude?

Firstly, it's the energy that this attitude brings to people who wear it. Although, it seems superficial at its core, such kind of people always have a carefree attitude towards life, especially at a glance. They're light, so to speak, as in not burdened by the heaviness of worry and overthinking the consequences of their actions.

Image Source

Also, these type of people try to live life to the fullest, which is similar to grabbing the bull by the horns, diving head first towards adventures that others, like myself, might shy away from.

For the most part, I tend to struggle with that, almost half of me doesn't take that approach towards life, it just wouldn't be bothered into fully living a dream or taking it seriously.

I admire the spontaneity and the 'no regrets' lifestyle, but is it truly smart to live without putting much thought into the future or the impact of one's actions?

This is where my admiration meets skepticism.

A Thriller And A Trap

In my own life, I've seen the multiple aspects of this mindset. For one, I've witnessed friends and acquaintances who've adopted this lifestyle end up in precarious situations, a sense of emptiness once the thrill fades. This is especially true for the younger generation, friends in their teens and early adulthood.

In my view, YOLO philosophy seems to ignore a crucial truth, which is that while we may only live once, life in and of itself is long, and today's decisions ripple into tomorrow's reality.

To think that life is a series of disconnected moments is a bit naive, and I think true freedom actually comes from having the security to make choices, rather than being forced into them by past impulsivity.

Here's an interesting the paradox.
The very argument that "you only live once" could equally justify careful planning and thoughtful decisions.

Image Source

After all, if we truly only have one life, shouldn't we strive to make it as meaningful and well lived as possible?

For me, the most concerning aspect is probably how this philosophy has been commercialized and weaponized by marketing forces of our modern era.

One of the effects of "live in the moment" mentality is it translates to "buy now, worry later," feeding into a cycle of consumption that benefits corporations much more than individuals, who are more or less caught into a never-ending pursuit of material goods and experiences, all in the name of living life to the fullest.


Thanks for reading!! Share your thoughts below on the comments.