Exploring a “For the Plot” Mindset

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UVA chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

The phrase “Do it for the plot” has become a popular saying within our generation, serving as a form of motivation to try something outside one’s comfort zone or do something in the moment.

In our current society, there are so many opportunities and activities to participate in and try out. However, we often find ourselves in a loop of doing the same things every day and becoming comfortable with limiting ourselves. This becomes especially easy when life gets busy and we stop prioritizing our own joy. This mindset is a way to enjoy life’s pleasures and remind ourselves to do things for our own happiness. The “do it for the plot” has many motives. It is partly built on the mindset of creating your own story and embracing change; however, it also has some negative influences, such as the idea of fleeting time and “FOMO.”

The Meaning Behind the Mindset

When thinking about a “do it for the plot” mindset, it mostly aims at pushing yourself to try something you would not ordinarily do to gain a memorable experience. It plays into creating your own narrative and making it both exciting and worthwhile.

This encourages us to avoid living with regret, which pushes us to do things we wouldn’t usually do. This does not mean doing something dangerous, but rather doing something spontaneous that makes you try something different. It is important to remember that when following this motivation, it’s for yourself. When doing things “for the plot,” it is for your own joy; therefore, you must remember you’re doing it for yourself and no one else. You must do it for your own enjoyment and for the goal of changing your own life.

Another reason for wanting to “do something for the plot” is that it often stems from a desire for some type of change in your life. This could be trying to put yourself out there to meet more people or to gain new experiences. Either way, a huge motivation is to experience some type of change, which is a good notion in knowing that we are only able to grow when we accept and embrace the changes we need to make. Doing things outside our comfort zone and changing our perspective could lead to one of the best choices we ever made. Having that idea when considering “doing something for the plot” is essential and supports the “why not” idea of encouraging change.

The Hidden downsides

As positive as a “do it for the plot” mindset is, it also has its harmful influences that are often seen. It can often be linked to the idea of fleeting time and wanting to experience something. Since this mindset relies on the spontaneous actions of individuals, it leads to quick, impulsive actions that can be dangerous. When time feels like it is running out, making that quick decision to “do something for the plot” may feel good initially and satisfy the craving for action, but the long-term consequences may be regretful, ultimately ruining the experience.

The fear of missing out is also something that can lead to “doing something for the plot,” however, when it’s a motivation, it usually leads to you doing something for others and not for yourself. This defeats the purpose of the mindset and pushes you to follow someone else instead of following your own conscious. This will lead to your actions being misaligned with your values, and the point of the experience will no longer be rewarding. As an individual, you must try to discern between the external validation of “doing something for the plot” and the internal experience of whether it empowered or drained you.