Live like YESMAN: How to say YES to life - a film metaphor that helped me understand many things in life...

Have you ever found yourself glued to the sofa, nodding sympathetically at the sight of Jim Carrey's reluctant face in Yes Man and thinking, "God, that's totally me"? You know the version of Jim who clings to his comfort zone like an old comfy sweater full of holes while life - exciting, chaotic, unpredictable life - passes by?

Yeah, that was me, too.

 

Let's be honest: we've all been there. We've been stuck in a monotonous nine-to-five job, afraid to leave because "the devil you know is better," right? We avoid social gatherings because we find meeting new people as appealing as stepping on a lego with our bare feet. Or maybe you just feel lonely but are afraid of the vulnerability that comes with making contact.

Yeah, I've been there.

 

But then came this quirky 2008 comedy starring Jim Carrey as Carl, a man whose life is the definition of bland, boring and beige. Until he decides (well, actually he's kind of forced) to say yes to everything.

And here's the kicker - it changed me. I began to see Carl's transformation not just as entertainment, but as a metaphor for something much deeper. His initially hesitant commitment to saying "yes" wasn't really about throwing himself into everything blindly. It was about letting go of fear, daring to be vulnerable, and grabbing life by its vibrant, sometimes chaotic horns.

 

 

Say YES, even if it seems crazy (or scary!)

 

Inspired by Carl, I decided to try this "YES" approach. And friends, let me tell you, it was pretty darn scary. My first big YES was attending an unusual event that I would normally avoid like an awkward family dinner. But guess what? Instead of being consumed by social anxiety, I ended up joining a fitness group. I whizzed, bounced and worked up a good sweat up the hill, but I also laughed, shared stories and made friends along the way.

 

That was the first of many dominoes that began to fall and open doors I never dared to knock on. It didn't matter if it turned out well or horribly disastrous - the magic was in saying yes and embracing the uncertainty.

 

 

YES to leaving a grueling job!

 

I know what you're thinking: "Quit my job? Are you crazy?" Maybe. But there's something deeply liberating about finally admitting what we really want. When Carl started saying yes, he realized how stagnant and unfulfilled his life had been. I had a similar awakening. Suddenly, it wasn't just about sticking it out at work for a paycheck - it was about actively choosing a life that I truly love to wake up to.

 

And so, armed with courage borrowed straight from Carl's playbook (and maybe a little bit of insanity), I quit my unfulfilling job and began to build my purpose - by writing and connecting with people through my own stories. Was it scary? It sure was! Was it an amazing feeling? Doubly so!

 

 

YES to facing loneliness and embracing vulnerability

 

The Yes Man journey is not just about career or activities. Sometimes it's about dealing with emotional blocks in the room - like loneliness. Loneliness is hard; there's no sugarcoating it. But Carl's journey has taught me that the cure is not isolation or rejection, but openness. Saying yes means admitting that we are struggling, and letting people in, even when it's painfully uncomfortable.

 

I've learned that loneliness is not the enemy - it's a sign pointing to opportunities we haven't yet dared to embrace. Like signing up for a pottery class (spoiler: my vase looked like a lump of sad clay, but I laughed and made friends) or accepting an invitation, even though Netflix looks much more appealing. To say yes is to choose vulnerability that can connect.

 

 

Not every YES is a home run (and that's okay!)

 

Remember that disastrous Korean class Carl took? Life brings us plenty of those moments. Like the time I excitedly enrolled in a professional makeup course, convinced that I would soon be able to do my makeup like a celebrity. In reality, I mostly couldn't master brush strokes across my cheeks, I couldn't choose the right colors and foundation for makeup, and my patience in front of the mirror wore thin, so I was only able to succeed at painting masks for Halloween. Embarrassing? Absolutely! But even from great failures come valuable lessons - humility, resilience and the art of laughing at yourself.

 

 

The power of a conscious YES

 

Here's the real magic: saying YES doesn't mean mindlessly agreeing with everything. It means making decisions consciously, courageously and curiously. It's about embracing life's uncertainties because - surprise - the unknown is exactly where we grow, evolve and become more authentic.

 

Even today, I still sometimes pause nervously before I say yes. But then I think of Carl staring wide-eyed into a sea of scary and fun possibilities, and I commit anyway.

 

 

How do I start my own journey of yes?

 

• Start small. Say yes to small things first - invitations to coffee, short walks, simple meetings.
  
  
• Embrace the awkwardness. It's inevitable. Laugh about it.
  
  
• Ask yourself. "Am I saying no out of fear, or out of genuine disinterest?"
  
  
• Be kind. Saying yes is not losing your boundaries. It means consciously choosing your path.

 

 

So, dear life explorers, maybe it's time to put Carl's metaphor into practice.

Because life truly begins when we step out of our comfort zone and whisper (or shout), "YES!"

After all, what's the worst that can happen - besides accidentally learning Korean, joining a band, or stumbling into a salsa lesson?

 

Say YES and let life surprise you...

 

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Have you seen this humorous film based on a philosophy of life? Have you thought about the very depth of this idea? Which YES changed your life?

Let me know your stories in the comments...