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The Japanese say "shouganai" which literally translates to "It can't be helped."

The problem is, 90% of the time, it absolutely can be helped.

I feel like "it is what it is" is too often shit on.

I had a boss from whom I learned about staying calm and keeping steady course.

His favorite saying was "it is what it is" and it was always in the context of simply recognizing the reality for what it is, instead of hoping or wishing it was something else or lamenting over how it should have gone a different way. Then, from the point of accepting that "it is what it is" we would focus on how to get to where we wanted to be.

Sure it can be used dismissively, but I feel like people always just dismiss it as a cliche when it's actually usually a very good philosophy.

Thought Terminating Cliches can be useful because it is not productive to worry about things over which you have no power.

This term seems like just an insult wearing academic robes. And a tautology. All cliches over simplify the world, side-stepping complex analysis.

There's nothing "thought terminating" about acknowledging that a problem is beyond your scope - which is what the first two mean. I've only heard YOLO used to encourage risk-taking, which is completely different.

Realistically, these are often just social cues that you're bored with the conversation.

Obviously whether you use a cliche to avoid thinking deeper on a topic or for some other reason changes with each use. It's not inherent to the phrase.

I feel like "fuck it we ball" applies too. At least that's how I use it.

Well, sometimes an end to a discussion is exactly whats needed. Sometimes. Like when theres literally nothing to do about something. Or the discussion is going in circles. Or when it would take shorter time to try it out in practice than have another meeting about the best way to implement it.

Who gives a shit.

It's what it's.

So it goes.

I think these phrases can also help if you are a person, like I am, who ruminates in unhelpful and damaging thought patterns.

Some of us think and agonize too much in an unhealthy way and definitely need ways to shut it down.

“I haven’t stopped thinking about this since”

But what about "It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose"?

They don't think it be like it is, but it do.

Thought-Terminating Cliches aren't self-fulfilling!

It is what it is, I guess.

“Living their best life” and “Speaking their truth” are recent and annoying examples of this.

The first is always used to dismiss self destructive or irresponsible behaviour. The second is often used to make a statement that is either false, manipulative, subjective or a combination. Their isn’t a personal truth, there is only truth.

maybe they couldn't stop thinking about it but I'm built different

Ah well, live and learn!

Or just "thought-stoppers".

Loaded language meant to quell criticism and dissent.

Can't stop thinking about thought terminating cliches? Sounds like you need a thought terminating cliche!

Well I'm just sayin

Cool story, bro.

Or my personal favorite, "that's just like, your opinion, man."

Lol this lady doesn't know what platitudes are... hilarious