How to Embrace the Joy of Missing Out and Live Slowly

How to Embrace the Joy of Missing Out and Live Slowly“I’m 34 years old now, and I haven’t achieved anything yet…” My neighbour said over a coffee chat.

“So what? You have a lot of time. You can still do anything you want to do.” — I replied.

“No there’s no time! Nowadays teenagers are making more than I am making at this point. At this age, people are already settled in their careers, buying their houses, car and traveling the world.

Look at me! Still struggling with my career. House and car are nothing but an impossible dream for me. And traveling is out of the question.”

With teary eyes she said.

She left after a coffee but my mind stayed on the same topic.

And it got me thinking…

Who decided on this definition of success? Why do you have to own a house, or car and travel the world to show the world that you’re successful?

Why can’t you live in a rented apartment, use public transport and enjoy staying at home in pajamas and still be successful?

Why materialistic possessions and desires are the metrics to measure mental success like peace, happiness, and contentment?

I’ve seen countless people in my surrounding struggling to prove that they’re making good money and living a good life. When will people understand — To live a good life, you don’t need to make good money!

No, I’m not saying money is not important. It is! Money is the fuel that you need to drive your life. But what’s the point of having that fuel if you’re using it only to show people how pretty your life car is?

I mean you’re not enjoying the ride anyway. You’re just stalking people with that money fuel to show off. Such a waste of money, time, and effort.

And here’s the reality check for you!

This life car you’re so proud of is also a rented one. Once your life lease is over, you gotta hand over it no matter how pretty, or beautiful it is. And also it doesn’t matter how much money fuel you’ve in your bank. You’ll just have to let go of all of that.

So why not enjoy the ride while your lease is still up?

Also not to mention, the biggest mistake people make is thinking that their life car runs only on money fuel.

What about time fuel? You can still push your life car with no money fuel left. But without time fuel? Naha! You can only use your life car and money fuel until you have got the time fuel in stock. Once the stock is finished so is your life lease, life car, and money fuel.

And what people are doing? They are using this super precious and priceless time fuel to chase money fuel! Simply genius!!

And I don’t want you to do this mistake. Because I care for you and I genuinely wish you have a beautiful life car with an abundance of money fuel so you can enjoy the ride as you wish and dream of. But not at the expense of limited and super precious time fuel you have.

And how can you do this?

Kick-off FOMO and Embrace JOMO!

In short, stop living in the fear of missing out and start living in the joy of missing out.

You must have heard this right? — Change your perspective to change your life.

That’s what we are gonna do now!

Embrace the joy of missing out and consciously choose to focus on what brings you actual joy.

Instead of letting society define the definition of your success, happiness, and contentment; you create your definition of success, happiness, and contentment.

How?

Let me tell you how!

1. Prioritize Your Time Fuel
Your only priority should be savoring and saving your time fuel. Because your time is non-refillable, non-refundable, and non-returnable. So spend it, use it, and invest it wisely.

Do things that truly make you happy. There’s no time to waste in doing things that don’t give you happiness. Remember, your ultimate purpose in this life is to be HAPPY! And if you’re not by any means, you’re just wasting this golden ticket a.k.a life.2. Define Your Own Success
Forget what society tells you. Nobody is thinking about you. Everybody’s busy thinking about what you’re thinking about them. Just like you’re busy thinking about what people will think about you. Break free from this cycle.

Don’t seek out external validation. Instead, seek internal satisfaction. Choose your success. Fulfill your dreams. Find your inner peace. Love passionately. Live purposefully. Die peacefully.

3. Limit Social Media Consumption
I’m a content creator and how I get to eat bread every day is by posting content online. But trust me when I say this, social media is a rabbit hole. But not the kind of one from the story of Alice in Wonderland. It’s more like Alice in Worstland.

Once you fall into it, there’s no way back. You’re gonna be fighting with self-doubt, jealousy, procrastination, laziness, and imposter syndrome for the rest of your life. Until and unless you’re smart enough to find the way out. So set the boundaries before it’s too late.

I’m not saying quit being on social media. But quit doubting your abilities, comparing your life with others, drooling over others’ success, and wasting your precious time fuel.

Being a content creator myself, I don’t spend more than an hour on social media. And I am active on 7 accounts. I can do this because I choose JOMO over FOMO. And you can do it too.4. Practice Gratitude
This simple practice has turned out to be the most life-changing one for me. Every morning when I wake up, I express my gratitude for one thing.

Every night when I wake up, I recall one best thing happened during the day and express my gratitude for it. The best way to bookend your day. Start with a happy note and end it with contentment.

For example,

Yesterday when I woke up and saw a message from my friend, I expressed my gratitude to the universe for giving me such a sweet friend.

And when I went to bed to sleep, I recalled my day and realized the best thing that happened that day was a butterfly sat on my shoulder. I smiled and expressed my gratitude for giving me such a beautiful moment to live.

You don’t need big achievements, big checks, or a big friend circle to be happy.

If you look around yourself, you’ll find infinite things you can be grateful for. As simple as getting fresh water to drink. Because there are people in the corner of the world who are not even fortunate enough to have a glass of clean water to drink.

So while reaching for the stars, don’t forget to take a moment to embrace the beauty of a flower blossoming on the ground at your feet.5. Be Present and Mindful
There’s a proverb — While drinking a tea, drink tea. It simply means, be present. Whatever you’re doing, engage fully. Then be it brushing your teeth or brushing the hair of your child. Everything matters. And so be conscious and mindful with each activity. Romanticize little things. And you’ll fall in love with life!

6. Learn to Say No
It’s okay to say no! Stop making it a huge deal. If you don’t want to do something or don’t want to go somewhere, just say so. Stop finding excuses to save your face. Instead, be bold and say the truth.

“I don’t want to go to a party this weekend, because I’m tired and I need some time to rest.” That’s it! You don’t have to make your mom sick or send your cousin to some another country. Stop with the excuses. It’s ok to say no! It’s your life!!

7. Focus on Your Well-Being
Prioritize yourself! Stop treating yourself as a side character in your own movie. It’s your movie and you are the hero here. But are you living like a main character? Don’t say yes, if you’re not making your mental, physical, and emotional health your priority.

Make time for yourself. Take care of yourself. Pamper yourself. Love yourself. Because you deserve it. And if you don’t, why others will? Remember, people treat you the way you treat yourself.

In the end, leaving you with this poor wordplay.