A Guide To YOLO

We all know the expression. YOLO. You only live once. But what does it really mean? And what are its benefits psychologically, emotionally and financially?

Lend me your ears, and I'll sing you a song...

1. YOLO is an invitation, not an excuse

Much to everyone's surprise, YOLOing is not always a throw-caution-to-the-wind kind of thing. It can be a premeditated and well thought-out decision. Before going out every night, I ask myself, Will I yolo tonight? The problem with that is the answer's usually always a "yes," because, well, YOLO.

But YOLO is not an excuse to make bad decisions that you'll regret later. "Oh I'll just drink and drive myself home because YOLO" is a misuse of the philosophy and should be tolerated as such. YOLO is more like an invitation to try something new, something you're maybe a bit afraid to do because of certain sociocultural restraints, personal anxieties and what have you. This tendency to say "Yes" can have wonderful effects on your psychological health. It's like a constant reminder to stop wasting time doubting yourself or over-analyzing situations and interactions. Just YOLO and the rest will follow. Let's just say I sleep like a baby at night.

2. YOLO can help you make millions!

I'd like to make a little mention of the financial benefits of YOLO. I don't want to spend too much time on this because I think there are a lot of cooler things in this world to talk about than money, but I will say as a server that YOLO equals money. When you work for tips, your whole job is getting people to take money out of their wallets and give it to you. And when you get people to YOLO, they want to throw more money at you. I created a graph at my job for my manager -- he told me he'd place it in the "suggestion bin," which I later found out was a euphemism for the trash can. On one axis was YOLO; on the other, PPA. Per person average, or how much each person spends individually. I don't know the technical term, but there is a positive correlation between the two. Already two drinks in? How's about a third frozen sangria? YOLO. Just ate a "big as yo’ face burrito"? How's about a tasty ass cake covered in syrups and shit? YOLO. Just spent way more than you wanted to, how's about throwing a couple dollars my way? YOLO. Cha ching.

3. YOLO: Chicken Soup for My Soul

I don't want YOLO to end up sounding like a method of spreading capitalism around the world. It's also a way to ensure your mental health. YOLO is like warm soup on a cold day, a beautiful pink sunset, a hug from your mama -- it's a way to comfort yourself when things get rough. Maybe you had a really shitty day at work, and you're ready to give up on this complicated Early-to-Mid- Twenties life, with its confusing personal encounters, its perilous post-grad job and rest-of-life search. But then you just think, yolo. It's ok. So it goes. Don't worry, be happy. Call it what you will. Yolo stands for saying yes to life and living as fully and completely as you can, because you only get a brief time to exist. So create the existence you want.

In the immortal words of Billy Shakes:

To YOLO or not to YOLO; that is never the question.