The YOLO Mentality

This world promotes the slogan “You Only Live Once.” But since our time is limited, shouldn’t we think carefully about how we choose to live that one life?

One of the most influential people today is a young woman named Miley Cyrus. A popular actress and singer, she has become a poster child for breaking boundaries and challenging social norms. In contrast to historical women who broke boundaries by doing positive things (such as Amelia Earhart and Jane Austen), Miss Cyrus breaks boundaries by challenging basic codes of morality and decency.

The young celebrity has come to represent a mentality that is common among today’s younger generation—the mentality known as “You Only Live Once” (or YOLO).

The popularity of YOLO

Miley Cyrus’ song “We Can’t Stop” is a disturbing summary of this modern outlook on life. In a nutshell, the song describes the theory that people should be free to do whatever they want and not care about anyone judging them for it. 

Miss Cyrus described her thoughts on the song in her announcement of it: “I feel like this song really is for them [my fans] and how I feel—that I can’t stop and I’m going to be who I am and they should be who they are and that they can’t stop and no one can stop us. … It really is an inspiring song for my fans. We don’t care, we can do what we want.”

Not only are her words influential, but the way Miley Cyrus presents herself is affecting the minds of young girls today. Her influence—in everything from her revealing clothing to her sexual dancing—is corrupting the minds of young girls and showing them that propriety and modesty are values of the past. Her message is exactly what she stated in the above quote: “We can do what we want.”

A life of carelessness

The philosophy behind YOLO is that people should throw caution to the wind and enjoy and live life however they want, regardless of the consequences. This way of thinking erases any clear line between right and wrong, responsibility and recklessness, intelligence and idiocy. What Miley Cyrus and those who espouse this way of thinking are saying is that you only live once, so do whatever feels good and enjoy life.

The YOLO mentality gives people an excuse to live carelessly. YOLO is the whole idea of being reckless—doing what you want regardless of the consequences and how others feel about your actions. It is completely contrary to the values that God wants us to have. “He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is careless of his ways will die” (Proverbs 19:16, emphasis added).

It is telling to see when the slogan “You Only Live Once” is applied. It’s not when you’re up all night studying for your college exams, trying to get a degree that you only live once. It’s not when you’re being conscientious about your behavior and striving to make a good impression and influence people positively that you only live once. It’s not when you’re sacrificing and planning for your future that you only live once. It’s not when you’re careful and discerning about who you will marry so that you can have a lasting, successful marriage that you only live once.

Instead, it’s used when you want an excuse to be stupid, lazy and reckless— such as taking that fourth shot of whiskey someone hands you at a party!

Life is limited—so make the most of it!

Abandoning the YOLO mentality won’t make us recluses or socially inept. There is nothing wrong with enjoying life, especially when we’re young. But it must be done in a godly and balanced manner. This balance should include a respect for others and authority, even though it’s the opposite of what society tells us to do.

Living life doing whatever we want will get us nowhere. But living life with hard work, dedication, patience and a high standard of morality and behavior can give us an abundant life that is full of fun, excitement and greatness (John 10:10).

While the phrase YOLO is used for the wrong reasons, it does contain a nugget of truth. The Bible tells us that this physical life is limited.

Because our physical lives are limited, we’re told to “walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). There’s more to life than having a blast whatever way we choose! As Hebrews 9:27 explains, “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” We should strive to live wisely and properly use our time.

For another perspective on how the ideas of our culture do not match God’s way of life, read “Don’t Follow Your Heart, Get a New One!”

Charisma Lawler is a member of the Houston North, Texas, congregation of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association.