"You Only Live Once" (YOLO), a concept made popular in contemporary society through social media, conveys the desire to make the most of the present situation and cast aside all worries about the future. This mindset is considered to be the characteristic of today's youth. However, do young people truly embody the YOLO mentality, or are they too concerned about planning their future to enjoy the present?
Some young people do tend to be overly absorbed in future planning and miss out on the present, largely influenced by societal attitudes advocating the merits of working towards a life plan and future goal. In Asian societies, young people plan their futures carefully to ensure financial security for the latter half of their lives. This often means getting good education and jobs. So, many take extra classes, losing free time and hobbies. Their excessive (过度的) focus on academics, which neglects their personal nature, brings mental stress and stops them from following their passions.
Another factor driving young people to excessively plan for the future is the increasing number of world challenges. Natural disasters, conflicts, wars, and pandemics are increasing, making the job market unstable. Young people are now more pressured to consider their future in this changing world. As a result, they don't enjoy their youth as they should. Research conducted by University College London shows over half of 16-25-year-olds are worried about their future, with 53% believing job prospects are worsening.
Nevertheless, it's encouraging to see that more young people are stepping off the beaten path and embracing the YOLO philosophy. The future is uncertain, and it's natural for young people to feel anxious. However, living in the moment and enjoying each experience is crucial. After all, isn't life more about the journey than the destination?