FOMO: /ˈfōmō/ – noun – Fear Of Missing Out. a feeling of anxiety or insecurity over the possibility of missing out on something, as an event or an opportunity (Dictionary.com).
We’ve all been plagued by the terrible guilt and anxiety of missing out on something fun, while we know other people are enjoying it. Social media only magnifies this “Fear Of Missing Out”, as you sit on your couch on a Friday night looking at all the girls on Instagram pregaming for the bar. And even though you’re so comfy in your pj’s, and you’re watching your favorite show, you still get that twinge of fear that you’re missing out on something. Although, even if you did go out that night, you would have spent the whole time wishing you were on the couch in your pj’s, watching your favorite show.
It’s a terrible cycle of negative thoughts and wishing you were elsewhere, when you could be spending your time feeling content with how incredibly comfortable you are. The comparison game plays out in our heads, as we compare our own seemingly boring night to someone else’s social media post of a cute picture at the bar. Comparison then turns into anxiety and guilt, and it ruins the great night you had relaxing at home. I think Theodore Roosevelt was spot-on when he said, “comparison is the thief of joy” – so you do you, girl! We don’t have time for FOMO anymore, so let’s replace it with JOMO!
JOMO: /ˈjōmō/ – noun – Joy Of Missing Out. a feeling content with staying in as a form of self-care. Antonym of FOMO.
So how do you become happy with staying in to avoid the stress FOMO can bring? Contentment with staying in comes when you allow yourself to make authentic choices about how you spend your time. At the root of FOMO lies the comparison of our own lives to the lives of others. When you’re able to separate yourself from what you feel like you “should” be doing (because it’s what other people are doing or it looks like fun) and you focus on what YOU want to do, you’ll find peace. Do what makes you feel good instead of doing what you think others would want you to be doing.
Another way to get the most out of your night in, and eliminate FOMO is to focus on where you are in the present moment. Take a moment to be mindful of your surroundings, and how it makes you feel. Be present while you treat yo’self to your favorite self-care routines, and enjoy yourself. Savor your night in!