"Love you, laoji, see you tomorrow" — a quirky phrase that started as a line from a popular video game — has quietly become one of the most talked-about expressions among young people in China.
The term laoji is a playful twist on ziji, meaning "oneself". It turns the self into a familiar, almost adorable companion. The phrase itself comes from a League of Legends character who says, "Love you, mom, see you tomorrow". By simply replacing "mom" with "oneself", netizens turned a phrase into a humorous and tender act of self-love, care and encouragement.
What may sound like just another internet meme has struck a deep chord. It speaks to something real; in a time of intense pressure and uncertainty, many young people are quietly learning to treat themselves with the same care they would offer a close friend.
For young people in China, saying, "Love you, laoji" is a small but profound act. It is the student who, after a late night of work, decides to treat themselves to a simple bowl of noodles. It is the exam-taker who, after weeks of stress, buys themselves a bubble tea.
In January 2026, Xiangtan University released a survey of its students that shed light on the phenomenon. The report, which explored the psychology behind the "love you, laoji" trend, found that nearly 70 percent of students saw the phrase as a kind of "utopia", a mental space for rest in an intensely competitive environment.
For these students, saying, "Love you, laoji" is a way to momentarily step off the treadmill of grades, internships, and an uncertain future, declaring, "Laoji, today you belong to yourself."
A further 61.95 percent of respondents described it as a form of "self-warming" in an era of increasing social alienation. Whether facing a doctor's visit alone or witnessing a beautiful sight with no one to share it with, turning inward to acknowledge laoji provides a reliable source of comfort.
The report concluded that "love you, laoji" softens the guilt often associated with rest. The language of self-dialogue shifts from the harsh, "Why didn't you do better?" to a gentle, "Laoji, you're tired today. Take a break". As the survey noted, it doesn't solve all problems, but it provides a new way to heal, allowing individuals to be both the gardener tending to their well-being and the flower in need of care.
Wang Xiulin, an 18-year-old freshman at Beijing Foreign Studies University, discovered the phrase in late 2025 and said it felt immediately heartwarming.
"It made me feel like society is starting to pay attention to self-care," she said. For her, "love you, laoji" is not tied to a single moment but is a tool for encouragement during challenging times.
Unlike high school, where she constantly worried about others' opinions, university has offered a more accepting environment. "It's helped me realize that I can be whoever I am," she explained.
She practices "love you, laoji" in simple, tangible ways — treating herself to milk tea or fruit after a grueling day of classes. "People are easily satisfied. Eating something good can really lift your spirits."
For her schoolmate, Dong Liangzehui, also 18, the term hit during a pivotal moment: her first university exam period. After studying until the library closed to master a challenging political theory course, she felt a surge of pride. "I wanted to encourage my hardworking self, so I said to myself in my heart, 'Love you, laoji'," she recalled.
She practices this self-care by rewarding herself, recently buying a blind box she had long coveted. While she posts about these moments on social media, it's less about seeking validation and more about documenting a personal pact.
"Many people felt the same way and shared their own laoji promises in the comments," she said, highlighting the communal aspect of this seemingly individualistic practice.
Li Yuting, a 19-year-old freshman at the University of International Relations, remembered first hearing the phrase from a friend and finding it "adorable and a little cheesy, but in a way that really hit home".
For her, "love you, laoji" crystallized during the stress of gaokao (the national college entrance exam). Despite battling health issues and seeing her mock exam scores decline, she persevered and earned her university admission."Looking back, that was the perfect time to say 'love you, laoji'," she said.
For her, caring for laoji means allowing small indulgences — a new manicure, a comforting meal, buying a small item — and permitting herself to rest. "It's not about being lazy. It's about allowing yourself to be imperfect so you don't get crushed by anxiety."
She said she did not know how to love herself in the past and started to realize that the most important thing is to take care of oneself and stay healthy.
Wang Wei, a 19-year-old male student at the University of International Relations, found the phrase "down-to-earth" and "endearing".
A recent moment of self-appreciation came after a tiring journey back to campus for the new semester, when he was feeling exhausted and a little low.
"As I lay in bed, I suddenly realized starting school wasn't so bad," he said. "After I got settled, I ordered my favorite takeout. At that moment, I really wanted to tell myself, 'You've worked hard. Love you, laoji'."
Wang emphasizes that for him, caring for "laoji" is about building a healthy lifestyle, exercising, eating good food, and allowing himself downtime. He sees the trend not as a sign of weakness or laziness but as a straightforward, heartwarming reminder to practice self-acceptance in a high-pressure world.
