The dangerous rise of Serious Young Men

Around 8 months ago, in a busy Leisure Center, a young man visited for a gym tour and took an interest in Jess, one of the attractive colleagues. Despite his good appearance and interest, he lacked charisma during the interaction. After being rejected by Jess when asking for her number, he left with no success.

The speaker often interrupts himself in a light-hearted manner, creating tension and seriousness in the room. He struggles to find something, possibly a blue object.

Young men today face a dilemma between pursuing women and self-improvement, feeling conflicted about societal expectations. Blaming external forces for this confusion only leads to a victim mentality. Taking radical responsibility for one's choices is key to finding peace of mind amidst conflicting messages urging constant achievement.

Effort is crucial in all aspects of life, from approaching a girl to building a business. The key lies in applying the right amount of effort without overdoing it. Many struggle because they focus on gripping tightly onto tasks rather than knowing when to let go and be themselves.

British philosopher Alan Watts emphasizes the importance of being sincere rather than serious in life. He compares life to a musical journey where one should sing and dance along with the music, not just aim for success or an end goal like heaven after death. Illustrating this concept with a social gathering scenario, he highlights how excessive seriousness can create discomfort and hinder genuine enjoyment.

Etymology of the Word 'Serious' The word 'serious' has etymological roots dating back to the early 15th century, deriving from various languages like Old French and Latin. It conveys a sense of gravity or weightiness, akin to lifting heavy burdens across different cultures.

Origin of the Word 'Sincere' In contrast, the term 'sincere' originates from Latin meaning pure and unadulterated. The concept behind sincerity is linked to being genuine and untainted by impurities or mixed motives.

Dancing authentically without pretense or deception attracts enjoyable company. When dancing with a woman, approaching it seriously leads to tension and stiffness, diminishing the fun for both partners.

Embrace Authentic Expression Let go of self-judgment and comparison to older individuals pressuring us to excel in every aspect, leading to tension and a lack of fulfillment. Instead, focus on expressing ourselves authentically without the burden of societal expectations.

Embrace Potential Over Obligation Shift from 'should' obligations to 'could' potentials by releasing preconceived notions about who we should be or what effort we should exert. By embracing our potential and engaging with work, relationships, and intimacy from a place of abundance rather than necessity.

Embrace Playfulness Over Seriousness Instead of carrying a serious demeanor, try wearing a cheeky grin to lighten the mood. Tune into when you feel most serious and what triggers that feeling in your daily life. Counterintuitively, exaggerate your seriousness like an actor in a comedy play to find humor within it.

Memento Mori Mindset Reflect on mortality daily as a reminder of life's impermanence. Approach each day as if it could be your last, shifting perspective on trivial matters. Embracing the concept of death can help alleviate unnecessary seriousness from everyday situations.

Practical Steps for Lightening Up Engage with books like 'The Wisdom of Insecurity' and 'Blue Truth' along with fiction or hobbies without performance pressure. Focus on activities solely for enjoyment rather than achievement or validation, fostering light-heartedness and sincerity in daily pursuits.

Victory Swig is about celebrating success in a genuine and lighthearted manner, reflecting the positive outcome achieved. It emphasizes being sincere rather than serious, with a reminder to maintain discipline while staying playful.