You may have heard or read about the well-known FOMO, the acronym of Fear of Missing Out. It’s about the fear of being absent. It is related to the anxiety generated by the fear of missing a social event or any other positive experience, especially the type of activities you learn about through social networks.
I think it has happened to (almost) all of us. We all have had this feeling. Browsing social networks, viewing images of perfect vacations, exciting events, and seemingly endless fun. Most of us spend a lot of time on social networks, especially through our mobile phone. According to Statista, spanish citizens spend around 150 minutes a day on the Internet. Yes, you read that right, about 2 and a half hours hooked to our devices. And the use of networks is highly addictive. Most people are afraid of missing something on the Internet or on social networks. Is it worth spending so much time on it?
In this sense, I love the quote from the well-known coach Aili Kuutan, “The fear of missing out can lead you to miss out on something even bigger: the life you really want.”
Now, faced with this obsession with not disconnecting, what can we do?
Well, as a counterpart to the concept of FOMO, a new concept has recently appeared that I find very interesting; the JOMO, the acronym for Joy of Missing Out. That is, the joy and happiness of missing something, of being disconnected. This concept flips the script on FOMO, encouraging us to find happiness in being present and being selective with our time and energy. JOMO is not about giving up the Internet or social networks, but about consciously choosing what really interests us. It’s about being selective and managing our time well (which is finite).
Here are SOME IDEAS TO HELP YOU GO FROM FOMO TO JOMO:
- Regain your attention: Constant exposure to the experiences of others can blur your own desires. Disconnect regularly and reconnect with yourself. What really excites you? What activities bring you peace? What motivates you? What topics do you want to pay attention to… and what topics do you not?
- Learn to say “no”: It’s okay to reject invitations that don’t align with your priorities. Saying no to the things that drain you frees up space for the things that matter. Be selective and choose well. Learn to give up and say no.
- Cultivate gratitude: Instead of envying others, appreciate the good things in your own life. Reflect on the moments that bring you joy, big or small. Life is not as it is portrayed on social networks. Appreciate all the good things you have around you.
- Prioritize quality over quantity: Filling your calendar with activities does not guarantee happiness. Focus on creating meaningful experiences with your loved ones, dedicate yourself to activities that you love and allow you to disconnect and connect with your authentic self.
The JOMO is a clear commitment to living intentionally. If you can let go of the pressure of being constantly “on” and distance yourself from the online world, your satisfaction and happiness will surely improve, making it easier to live a more authentic life.
In this sense, Steve Jobs‘ well-known phrase comes to mind,
“Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”
So now you know, learn to disconnect. Go from FOMO to JOMO.
