Unless you’ve been living under a snowball on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, you’ve probably heard the expression “f**k my life” or its “FML” abbreviation. It’s popular with the kids (there are even blogs dedicated to it); here are a few real life examples from Twitter:
Lencie456: Why the f**k are there so many kids on campus ugh #fml I hate children
JamelleMyBelle: Dropped my phone. It’s kinda cracked on the bottom. #FML
edguhh: work until 11:30… #fml
In the world’s wordiest language (1 million words and counting), certainly there are healthier alternatives for articulating our frustration.
FML isn’t just an expression. Words are powerful, and all of our words contain patterns of energy that return to us in like form. In this way, FML is participation in the very energy patterns that we least desire.
Moreover, it’s an inability on our part to see the perfection of each moment. Though we do encounter speed bumps, obstacles and detours on our respective journeys, those challenges often illuminate new opportunities or truths that we need to discover. Let’s focus our attention on discovering those truths, rather than expressing our ingratitude for this tremendous gift of human life.
It’s not that I’m anti-FML. It’s just that I’m pro-LML. I love my life. And maybe you love yours, too?
P.S. In the time that it has taken me to type this post, 284 additional people have tweeted FML. So far, only 1 LML. If you have Twitter, change that by clicking here.
March 26, 2010 at 1:35 pm
haha thanks for informing me of what FML stodd for, I generally ignore abbreviations I don’t know, haha, and I don’t live under a rock
It is sad so many people feel the need to declare how much they don’t like things though :/
xox
March 26, 2010 at 1:35 pm
I never liked the “FML” concept, either. There’s already too much negativity in this world!
March 26, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Davey….some people might call u a ‘Pollyanna’, but I too am an optimistic person; even so, when I’m down I can always go to ur blog and count on being cheered up! XO GUY
March 26, 2010 at 1:42 pm
I’d like to think the opposite of FML is MLIA, standing for My Life is Average. It doesn’t sound that great, but there’s a great website with little stories from lots of people that are far more Awesome than Average.
March 26, 2010 at 1:44 pm
I don’t mind ‘FML’ so much, but I think it’s gotten over used. My original assumption was that it was used when a string of events unfortunate happened all in a row to the point where it almost becomes comical.
For example, I stub my toe, forget my wallet, lock my keys in my car, and then drop my phone. FML. hah hah. No harm done, just a crazy day.
I’ve definitely noticed people using it ALL the time for every little thing as of late though and it’s definitely getting to be a bit much…
March 26, 2010 at 1:50 pm
It’s gotten to the point where people are like:
I have to drive home, fml.
I have to go to school, fml.
I have to get an oil change, fml.
I have three math problems for homework, fml.
People overuse it SO much, and I refuse to use it.
March 26, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Greetings from Svelbard. I have no idea what you are talking about.
March 27, 2010 at 9:01 am
This comment turned my fml into a lml because I lol!
March 26, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Davey just so you know, you are not alone. For all those who feel that FML is not what our society should truly feel is the amazing site.
http://www.givesmehope.com
It’s one of my favorites and I hope you like it.
March 26, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Haha, no idea of what you’re talking about and I’m from Oslo, Norway
hahaha, don’t think it’s any difference if you’re from Longyearbyen or Oslo as long as your main language is norwegian, not english 
haha, just saying.
March 27, 2010 at 7:07 am
lol, same situation here, only I’m not at such a beautiful place like Norway… FML (kidding… well, only for “FML” part). Ayway, I never heard of FML before, but I dislike its concept.
Btw, norsk språk er bra og jeg elsker norsk kultur, musikk, menn og alt i Norge
Jeg skal komme til Norge en dag (at least I hope so). I would sooo like to meet that beautiful country. Tusen hilsener fra Serbia! Ha det bra!
March 26, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Like you, I’m 26 and “old.” I was introduced to “FML” not terribly long ago by some of my students, and yes, I agree that they use it way too often for ridiculous things. But sometimes I just feel like it. I really can’t say LML, and I’m pretty skeptical that using the words would have the power to change that. I really admire and envy your optimism, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard (or read) a negative word from you. I understand how the mind can affect your mood, but how do you hold on to that when s**t really gets nasty?
March 26, 2010 at 6:54 pm
I definitely agree with this. I love Davey, and I wish I could see life as positive as he seems to, but, I mean, some things just aren’t positive, and can’t really be.. spun that way.
March 26, 2010 at 5:16 pm
What are you talking about?
March 26, 2010 at 5:41 pm
I couldn’t agree more. My bf says FML and I give him a speech most of the time when I hear it. “Your life isn’t that f****d up is it?”
March 26, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Yes, I agree. the whole FML thing is a giant cop-out. Kids that get stuck in that mode need a good kick in the arse!!!!!
March 26, 2010 at 6:49 pm
I believe in the power of prayer (not religious, but simply “faith”) and I also believe in the power of our words. If we say something often enough it becomes a mantra. Why the hell would I want to make my own mantra, “FML”?! I’d much prefer to have my life blessed and experience as many pleasant things as I possibly could in this lifetime—rather than to affirm the negative and invite the unpleasant in to affect me. I’ve experienced the negative (and in many respects I feel that I coaxed it in, as I affirmed that my relationship with my ex was “killing me” all those years that we were together). I don’t pretend to always be upbeat and positive today but I’m a helluva lot more careful about what I say (and what I place my faith within). I think the kids today need to rid themselves of this phrase (“FML”) as quickly as they can and embrace the antidote, “LML”. Thanks for the blog, DW. ~Michael
March 26, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Michael admit it, your awesome
March 26, 2010 at 10:44 pm
*blushes* Not as awesome as my friend, Davide. (If you weren’t already being chased around the bedroom each night by somebody who loves you and whom you love, I’D be camping out on your doorstep waiting for the door to open so’s I could CHASE AFTER YOU!! LOL!) Oh well… I guess I’ll have to wait for a “Davide duplicate” to wander across my path. hahaha.
March 27, 2010 at 9:11 am
Michael ur awesome…visited ur Blog..awesome man!
March 27, 2010 at 10:22 am
Thank you, Guy.. You’ve got some pretty hot guys up on your blog over there, btw. (I was going to send you an email from your blog but couldn’t find a link to do so from. I hope you’ll feel free to visit my blog and comment often. Shoot me a message from there, as well if you feel like it.) Take care.. ~Michael
March 26, 2010 at 7:00 pm
I prefer to just say, s**t the Bed or f**k Me Running. I am not into the new hip FML but if I do get into it I like yours better.
March 26, 2010 at 7:14 pm
yada, yada,yada!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! what ever dude,u r hung up on ur self!
March 27, 2010 at 7:47 am
Larry,
Freedom of speach is the battlefield for new ideas, change and concepts. If you do not share anothers opinion, you are wrong for putting them down.
March 26, 2010 at 8:36 pm
We need to think about what we say and the energy we send out. It can make a difference in our lives and help others.
March 26, 2010 at 11:59 pm
I don’t see it that way. When some inconvenience happens, I mutter ‘fml’ and move on. It helps me get out my small frustration and move on to be optimistic about everything else.
March 27, 2010 at 6:35 am
First time I’ve heard it. The lesson you teach is an important and powerful one. Thanks. LML.
March 27, 2010 at 6:38 am
Davey Wavey
Good Morning!
It is because of you that FML will continue,but this is what you always hear/know when you are at my place in Jerszzy…LMBTDW…Love “your” David
March 27, 2010 at 6:55 am
Well I guess I let people handle situations in whatever way suits them.
A few years ago a good friend of mine started something that I had to adopt. When someone asks how I am I respond with a genuine and enthusiastic “I’m Fantastic! what about yourself?” and because I mean it I get the most positive reactions out of people. The people I work with are mostly used to it, but they do find it weird I am the only person the cafe staff know by first name and smile at when I walk in. The staff at my gym are always happy to see me.
The other day that friend came off his bike and broke his collarbone bad enough to need surgery, he spent 3 days waiting in the hospital waiting room. By the time I caught up with him after surgery, all the patients in the ward were telling people they were also fantastic. A hospital ward full of people who had just been cut up who genuinely believed they were better off being there than the alternative.
March 27, 2010 at 7:45 am
Good health and good journeys to you Davey Wavey!
Vance.
March 27, 2010 at 8:18 am
Guess I have “been living under a snowball on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard” because I’ve never heard the “FML” expression before reading this blog post.
March 27, 2010 at 8:19 am
Guess I have “been living under a snowball on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard” because I’ve never heard the “FML” expression before reading this blog post.
LML
March 27, 2010 at 9:26 am
I’m just 8 miles south of Downtown Crossing and I haven’t got a clue what you are talking about!
March 27, 2010 at 9:42 am
Wow Davey Wavey, your words always inspire me. Now I must spread LML and positive energy.
March 27, 2010 at 9:48 am
People in a lot of rich countries are used to having whatever they want, so that decreases their frustration threshold and increases their FML tendency. ñ_ñ
March 27, 2010 at 9:55 am
LOL Do you know what I found there in Twitter??? A hashtag (hot topic) called “#sufrocomoprecious” which means #isufferlikeprecious, LOL, can you believe that???
March 27, 2010 at 10:07 am
Good Morning Davey Wavey!
I LML because you are in it!
Love, joey
March 27, 2010 at 11:19 am
Yes, I agree with you Davey, there is too little love in the world. I also realize that words do have power. Right now FML is very popular. It’s original meaning was a sad thing to apply to one’s self. In that sense I cringed every time a young person used it.
But it has been overused and become an explicative with less and less power. This too shall pass!
Older explicatives less heard today are words like: SOB (son-of-bitch), god-damn, JeSUS and variants. During WW II there was FUBAR (f****d up beyond repair) ans SNFU (Situation normal all f****d up). They all were used out of frustration and became part of our vocabulary. But none were applied to one’s self.
In fact the basic word “f**k” as most know, has become the “universal word” that can be used in many ways.
One bothersome trend, is the increasing use of FML and sayings like this is applying them to one’s self and one’s own life.
I have had hard times before and recently a REAL BAD time (of my own making)!!! It still hurts! But I can never say MLF, because of my Faith in God….. and, in spite of human weakness….faith in myself and others.
Again, I say, right on Davey !!!!
March 27, 2010 at 11:24 am
Speaking of words and the power of words, I wish Davey would write a blog on the word LOVE, especially as it is used, not used, or “misused” in our community.
I think its very problematic. I wonder!!
March 27, 2010 at 12:32 pm
I completely agree with this post! I’m a 17-year-old girl in an all-girls high school, so obviously I hear the words “f**k my life” or “F-M-L!” at least once in every minute. I may or may not be exaggerating. As for me, I really try to stay away from it…. But now I see that there’s more I can do. Instead of just not saying FML, I can say “Love my life” more often. Let’s do this!
March 27, 2010 at 12:56 pm
How sad that in today’s world, all people can focus on is what bump in the road they may be experiencing. Life is what one makes of it, if it’s difficult, how do you change it to make it better. One places so much stress on themselves and everything then becomes the negative. We need to back away from some of the negative and look for something postive.
Growing up I had an extremely difficult life for many reasons and a lot if the time, FML would have applied by todays standards. Now that I’ve lived through them, I see how they helped me become the person I am today. While many people let me down in my life, many others stepped in and I’ve gained more who’ve become so important that I would give my life for them. So let’s look at what’s causing us grief and figure out what we can do to change it. The power is in all of us at all times. And yes, it’s there even when you think you hate everything. Just take a moment to look at the beauty life has given you.
March 28, 2010 at 10:17 pm
i like your blog,tks.(i want to say more but I’m not good in english.sory.
April 3, 2010 at 9:18 pm
You’re right in saying that it’s overused. Remember a while back it was “I hate my life”. So one would suppose that this is the natural progression. Sad that some of us feel that life is so messed up that it loses its value in our eyes. But equally sad that many simply speak the FML over their lives without thinking about the consequences.
April 3, 2010 at 9:46 pm
who gets the final word…LML wins
April 6, 2010 at 12:03 pm
This is why I don’t Twitter. I hate the way our youth and the internet age (I call them the text message generation) has bastardized my beloved language and the written word so that even adults, who should know better, are doing it. I have a brother 8 years my junior and reading an email from him is like decoding a secret message. I get a text message from him and suddenly I’m a WWII Windtalker. So is sonuvabitch the new “dagnabbit”? Am I so old that my curses are quaint little grandpa-isms? If so, hand me my four-legged cane and medi-alert bracelet because I will not convert. I will not use “4″ and “U” when “for” and “you” work just fine, and I will continue to say precisely what I mean to say! *end rant* Now, to speak to the actual question posed by this blog post, I tend to fall into the “FML” category of people, though I choose a more varied and colorful way of expressing my “FML” moments. For people like me, sometimes being positive and happy takes more energy than we have. That’s not to say I don’t try, but there are just some days/weeks/months where, if I hadn’t met David, my one true love, I’d be ready to cash in my chips and take a permanent nap. Hmmm, that’s kind of a heavy note to end on so instead, I’ll leave you with a joke, it’s a bad one, but it always tickles me and lifts my spirits.
What kind of bees make milk?
Give up?
Boo-bees! Ahahahahahaaa!!! ^_^