Choosing JOMO Over FOMO

There’s something about the soothing sound of crackling wood fire and crickets chirping rhythmically like a metronome at night in the great outdoors. The smell of oak and pine trees add tranquility and dimension to nature’s ASMR and reminds me that everything will be alright.

Pandemic life has forced all of us to slow down, but it’s sad that it had to come to this in order for me to be more intentional in finding joy in the little things and finding beauty in the process. I was always the type who loved the hectic and frenzied lifestyle (or so I thought) and needed everything to be fast, digital and efficient.

When I would be listening to podcasts, audiobooks or watching movies and YouTube clips, as long as there was an option to change the speed, my formed tendency would be to increase it by 1.5x or 2x unless it was a recipe I was following along with or how-to video.

I’ve come to realize that life is not a rat race and not everything has to be so urgent and busy all the time. My FOMO has turned into the pandemic-induced “fear of going out” and now I’m resorting to “the joy of missing out” or JOMO.

My new mantra is focused more on slowing down, not missing the details and enjoying the journey because life itself is a gift. And just because I’m not saying yes to every activity or experience presented to me, it doesn’t mean that I’m missing out but that I’m zooming in. Here’s how I’m deciding to make the new year more valuable and relaxing.

Slowing down

I'm resisting the urge to fast forward or speed up videos, podcasts or audiobooks and appreciating the style and words used to express the segment or story as an art form. I’m sure I’ll benefit from slowing down by catching more details that I would've otherwise missed.

Refreshing my five senses

Whether it’s trying to figure out the spices or ingredients used in every dish I put in my mouth; experimenting with new scents and candles and appreciating the smell of nature’s fragrances; or creating new favorite music playlists, it’s finding joy in the little things by waking up and refreshing my five senses in different ways.

Enjoying the process in every activity

When I’m doing dishes or cleaning, rather than seeing them as mere chores to check off my to-do list, my new mentality is seeing them as therapeutic activities that I look forward to where I can practice mindfulness while listening to a meditative soundtrack.

Engaging in analog living

I find it more satisfying to use regular pen and paper to write down notes and read magazines by flipping through the glossy pages instead of doing these activities digitally. Analog living even in this way prevents momentary distractions that come from the phone’s popup notifications and gives more room to focus and relax. So rather than use my phone as a calendar, this year I’m using a print calendar journal to jot down my appointments and thoughts with my favorite ballpoint pens on hand.

The “joy of missing out” is not missing out on everything but on things, events, and activities that I don’t care as much for and prioritizing what I ultimately value and gives me joy. This includes slow (intentional) living and getting good at catching all the beautiful details I may have missed before, whether it’s noticing a single snowflake and realizing how intricate each one is or enjoying the process of a barista slowly making latte art as I patiently wait for my drink.

Even now as I’m writing and snacking on cold, freshly cut ripe papayas with a fork, I’m savoring each juicy bite along with its pretty coral color that adds richness to this sweet, nutrient-dense tropical fruit—which I can freely and simply feel grateful for.