3 Ways I Conquered The Fear Of Missing Out

FOMO; an abbreviation for “fear of missing out”. It is defined as the fear or anxiety that you are missing out on experiences that others are living. It is characterized by a desire to stay connected and an intense curiosity for what the individual might be missing out on.

According to Trust Pulse, FOMO is experienced by about 56% of social media users. That’s over half! Social media plays a big role in FOMO. In an age where everyone is constantly in the loop on the internet, it’s hard to avoid something you’re not apart of. Road trips with friends, graduation ceremonies and parties are all things that are documented on social media daily. We don’t tend to post ourselves in our pajamas binging Netflix eating ice cream straight out of the tub; it’s just not interesting or glamorous. But trips to Italy and skydiving are things we post because those things are exciting and what we want to showcase to the world.

This phenomenon has transformed social media into a place of shiny things, endless smiles, and the echoing sounds of never-ending laughter. Social media is the highlight reel of our lives, not everyday reality, making it hard not to compare our everyday lives to what we see on social media. Social media is the beach, the movie theaters, a foreign country. And when all we see is the highlights reel, it’s hard not to feel left out from all of the fun, sitting in our pajamas. This is where FOMO sets in. Why is everyone doing something fun? Why aren’t I?

FOMO used to be something I struggled with when I was younger. I would be studying for a test or doing homework when I saw people I knew partying and have the time of their lives on social media. I felt horrible. Even though I knew I had made the choice to do the responsible thing and take care of my priorities, I still felt bad about myself for not joining in on the fun.

I did some research and found out ways to conquer the horrible sensation of FOMO. Now, I can confidently say I have conquered it. It took some time and work, but it the result is incredibly rewarding.

The first thing I did to conquer FOMO was to enjoy every moment while I was in it. Social media has made us feel that if we aren’t doing something picturesque, it isn’t fun or enjoyable. Rejecting this notion helped me overcome my FOMO significantly. The ice cream I’m eating right now tastes delicious, the episode I’m watching is amazing, and my pajamas feel super comfortable. This moment may not be glamourous, but it is a moment to enjoy, and that is all that matters. When we find the beauty in the simple moments of our lives, we no longer yearn for the seemingly exciting moments that we think others experience.

The ice cream I’m eating right now tastes delicious, the episode I’m watching is amazing, and my pajamas feel super comfortable.

The second thing I did is give myself a reality check whenever FOMO started to creep in. Of course a social media influencer who has a flexible internet job can take a vacation to Bora Bora in the middle of winter. Sure, I wish I was on vacation instead of studying for finals, but life just isn’t like that. I also reminded myself that social media rarely shows imperfections and only shows surface-level results. I once heard someone say “you might see someone on a beautiful vacation, but you don’t know that they might be going into credit card debt to afford the vacations” and it really struck a chord with me.

“You might see someone on a beautiful vacation, but you don’t know that they might be going into credit card debt to afford the vacations”

Lastly, I reminded myself that social media only showcases what’s exciting and fun; and life isn’t always that. When you post on social media, people might be in bed wishing they had your fun life. If they said that to you, you might even laugh at how easy appearances can deceive others because when they post, you probably think the same thing! Social media is not, and will never be, an accurate representation of people in their lives, and that is something to keep in mind when you feel like you’re missing out.

Social media only showcases what’s exciting and fun; and life isn’t always that.

To those struggling with FOMO, just know that your struggle is valid. It can be a devastating and crippling feeling. If FOMO is giving you intense anxiety or depression, please reach out.