Hello Reader,
If you're like me, the expression "YOLO" makes you feel old.
Or maybe you don't even know what it means.
You Only Live Once - YOLO.
I heard it again recently when talking to 17-year-old girls at fencing training. They were eating sweets constantly. After reading "Glucose Revolution", seeing this worries me. I tried telling them how the book changed how I perceive sugar and about the impact of sugar on our bodies, energy levels, and performances as athletes.
They listened but then said, "Well, ok… but YOLO!".
If you don't believe in reincarnation, it's true: you only live once.
You will live an average of 26280 days.
During these days, I believe you want to feel happy, strong, fulfilled, and connected—with love and purpose. Perhaps some adventure, too. It makes sense to want that—because, after all, these days add up to be your life.
Make them count.
Buddhism teaches, "A single day of life is worth more than all the treasures of the universe." This suggests that the experience, potential, and moments of even a single day of life are more precious than any material wealth.
If you learn to cherish the present moments of each day, you'll unlock your most fulfilling and joyful life to its fullest potential.
Be intentional.
"Decide yesterday who you want to be tomorrow."
For me, this is a powerful quote.
Think about how you want to feel, what you want to think and how you want to act. Ultimately, what kind of person you want to be? I know it isn't always easy, but you will improve with intention and practice.
For example, on cloudy, overcast days, you might wake up feeling tired, even if you had enough sleep. You might feel a little gloomy for no particular reason. If you're aware and intentional about the day, you could ask yourself: What usually makes me happy? How can I feel less gloomy on these kinds of days?
For today it's for me: A cup of my favourite hot tea, a walk in nature, letting go of thoughts, going to the gym and sauna, being in the moment, an avocado toast with a tomato salad, fruit that is not so sweet (like pomelo or apples), writing. And knowing that all these things are available to me - makes me happy and grateful. For the rest of the week, I will try to do the same: find things that bring me peace and joy and allocate time and space for them.
The quote above is also powerful in situations where you're not sure of the outcome. I often get myself in situations where I don’t know the outcome. And that's a good thing, as no one grows inside their comfort zone.
However, dealing with the unknown or an unexpected result can be difficult. It can make you feel anxious, self-conscious, or vulnerable. Humans don't like not knowing what's coming and love the sense of control and predictability.
When I heard that quote, however, it made me realise that getting yourself into something new or unknown doesn't have to be difficult. Say you want this job or talk to the hot person from the gym:
Get yourself out there with a clear goal.
I'd say to myself: if the answer is a "yes" and it aligns with my goals, great.
If the answer is "no," I'll be okay, too, because it doesn't serve my goal.
My goal is a definite, whole-hearted "yes."
"Yes, we want you on the team." or "Yes, I want to talk to you too."
If the answer is a "no," having a clear idea of what I want in the long run makes it much easier to let go of the thoughts and emotions around "no." Being aware of your goals makes dealing with situations more effective. You will see it's not worth wasting your energy on something that does not serve your goal.
The outcome isn't important if you know and focus on your goal.
Research has shown that living intentionally toward a goal fosters greater awareness, focus and intrinsic motivation and increases overall well-being.
It helps eliminate the noise, being the thoughts and feelings that don't serve your goal. By definition, thoughts and emotions that are fleeting, as nothing lasts, so you might as well let go of them now if they don't add to your happiness.
Getting rid of the noise enables you to hear the actual music.
It gives you energy for the important things in life. It opens your mind to the beautiful autumn leaves and that ray of sunshine. Days full of cherishing beautiful moments, writing, reading, indulging in your favourite songs, focussing on training - or just being.
Clear goals = better decision-making.
You will also make better decisions regarding food.
Better food = more energy.
Better doesn't equal perfect. It just means eating food that is good for your body and soul most of the time. Be intentional about how you want to physically (and, therefore, emotionally) feel now and later, when you're older.
Food can be so satisfying and good — that dopamine hit just feels great.
I feel you, trust me. I'm a big foodie!
However, there are things that are both super tasty and good for you.
Focus on those. Find them. Prepare. Don't give up.
Just take a little more time every day and care for yourself.
Do yourself a favour. By now, we all know that unhealthy food is linked to numerous diseases, so don't leave room for regret. You don't need three pieces of cake or alcohol every week.
And, believe me, true happiness doesn't come from quick, cheap dopamine. It's instead the opposite: These foods and alcohol give you no nutritional value, good energy, or happiness, just quick, meaningless dopamine with a massive drop in energy levels just after.
They are not good food choices if you want to be and FEEL healthy every day and for the long term.
Personally, my body reacts very quickly to food as well, probably due to the intermittent fast and just my gut biology. If the food is bad in any way, I can feel it.
And it's just not fun feeling unwell on an everyday basis.
I can't do the things I want to do.
I lack the energy for the mental capacity I'd need to have the conversations I want to have or to get the work done as efficiently as I would like.
Not fun at all.
You might think you can't feel the difference but I'd bet you can if you listen to and observe your body more closely.
Undoubtedly, the YOLO-girls at training haven't paid enough attention to their body to feel the effect of sugar. It will make you feel tired, have less energy, destroy the health of your cells, make you age faster, and much more - no one is an exception. Plus, it has zero nutritional value. More on it in a later edition :)
If you want to spend your days best and stay healthy long term, you can't live a YOLO-fuck it-approach to everyday life. Because your approach will affect the rest of your day.
And your days make up your life.
Here's a little thought experiment (as we call it in physics):
Imagine eating a pizza full of cheese for lunch and a burger with chips for dinner. Every day for the rest of your life. Probably just the thought of it is making you feel sick right now.
Now, imagine how you feel eating tasty roasted veggies, potatoes, or a salad with protein on the side daily. I bet it has a very different lightness to it.
I'm not saying you should eat salad every day or never eat pizza; I just want you to be aware of how each will make you feel. On an everyday basis as well as over your lifetime.
And I want you to become aware of how you want to feel.
Health is the foundation for everything.
Good food will help you get through the day, appreciate the precious moments, and make you feel stronger and happier.
Living intentionally will change how you experience the day and cherish its moments, how you approach people, and how you show kindness to yourself and others from the moment you wake up until you go to sleep.
For me, the days where I manage to live my life intentionally, eat well and be in the present moment are the best, and I am at my highest potential. It feels amazing, so I aim to have more of them.
So, how will you choose to live the one precious life you have?
I'd be curious to know.
“Don’t wait for the perfect moment, take the moment and make it perfect.” – Zoey Sayward.
Lots of love
Linh
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