By: Shaylin Smith
In today’s world, social media has created a culture where we are constantly exposed to the highlight reels of others’ lives. Throughout my high school and college years, FOMO has been something I am all too familiar with, at times leading to dissatisfaction and anxiety. FOMO can cause you to question your decisions ranging from what you are doing on a nightly basis, what college you chose to attend or what dress you bought for that special occasion. However, by taking a few mindful steps, you can shift your focus from what others are doing to embracing and enjoying your own life. Here are my top three tips to combat FOMO and reclaim happiness in the moment.
Put Yourself First
I hate missing out on things and that is a flaw of mine because I simply can’t do everything all of the time and sometimes my body needs a break. When you decide to stay in instead of going out, it's inevitable that you are going to be missing out on something, but that is okay! Enjoy your warm cozy bed for a night and a favorite meal. Put on a show and be grateful for the self care, night in you are having. Taking care of yourself is more important than that one party because I promise you, there will be plenty of others. The key is to be content in the choice you make and to understand that, in life, making one choice always precludes another and to be content with the direction you choose. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. By staying in you are saving money, getting good sleep, and taking care of yourself. Remember that!
Limit Social Media Use
Social media often intensifies FOMO by constantly showing what others are doing. President Theodore Roosevelt famously said “Comparison is the thief of joy”. FOMO stems from focusing on what you aren’t doing rather than appreciating what you are doing. Someone else’s page on social media includes only selected and orchestrated moments, hand picked by the user which is a glamorized version of that pregame or party, when in reality, it's just like the one last week and the one that will happen next week. Sitting on social media scrolling and comparing will not make anything better. Instead, be present with what you have. Delete snapchat for the night, write in a gratitude journal three things you are thankful for, and be proud of yourself that you are able to do things on your own terms.
You Probably Are Not Actually Missing Out
Who says there was anything to miss out on in the first place? Just because you are not attending something does not mean you are missing out on anything. Shifting your mindset to see the value in missing out allows you to enjoy the peace and satisfaction of slowing down and embracing the idea of JOMO - the joy of missing out. Be confident in your choices, focus on your own priorities and let go of the pressure to allow anyone else’s choices and experiences to affect your happiness. My Dad always tells me that life is like a salad bar and my job is to appreciate the things on “the salad bar of life” that I like and not complain about the things I don’t like. Keeping this in mind allows me to realize not everything is perfect but there are always things to be grateful for. Choose to be optimistic and create a mindset that recognizes true happiness comes from controlling your attitude and building meaningful relationships with the people already in your life rather than chasing after every social event or experience.
In a world where our generation is constantly bombarded by the curated lives of others through social media, learning to navigate the benefits and drawbacks of technology is key to avoiding FOMO and reclaiming contentment in our own choices.
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