Have you ever scrolled through Instagram and felt a pang of envy? Maybe your feed explodes with friends vacationing or living in your dream country, while you’re stuck in the office. Or perhaps everyone seems to be attending the hottest new restaurant, concerts, events, and weddings and you wonder when will be my turn and leaving you with a bowl of cereal, and a serious case of “shoulda-woulda-coulda.”( don’t ask me what it means, ask google when you are done)
One day a friend of mine was having a bad day when I asked her why, and what happened, she had a lot of questions for herself. She felt she hadn’t been doing anything significant enough with her life for the past 3 years and that time was passing her by, she had a whole bunch of questions I can’t begin to mention here. All these were triggered by one thing: “social media”.
These thoughts, my friends, will take you to the mysterious land of FOMO – the Fear Of Missing Out. But here’s the thing: is FOMO a villain or a misunderstood hero?
On the one hand, FOMO can be a powerful motivator. See your colleagues crushing their fitness goals? Maybe it inspires you to dust off those running shoes and hit the pavement. Friends rocking promotions at work? FOMO can light a fire under you to step up your game and chase that next level. In this sense, FOMO can be a positive force, pushing you to reach for more and become the best version of yourself.
But FOMO can also be a double-edged sword. Constant comparison can leave you feeling inadequate and rob you of the joy in your own life. You might ditch your perfectly good plans (movie night with takeout, anyone?) because your feed portrays a night out as the only acceptable way to spend your Saturday. This FOMO spiral can lead to unhappiness, anxiety, and a serious case of social media fatigue.
So, is FOMO friend or foe? The truth is, it depends on how you wield it. Here’s how I turned FOMO from a fearsome foe into a (somewhat) helpful friend:
- Fact-Checking the Feed: Let’s face it, social media is a highlight reel. Nobody posts pictures of their laundry pile or the existential dread they felt during their commute. Remember, the online world is a curated version of reality. So, take those envy-inducing posts with a grain of salt.
- Flipping the Script: Instead of feeling bad about what you’re missing out on, use FOMO as inspiration! See a friend conquering a new skill? Maybe it ignites a passion within you to try something new. Friends rocking a concert? Use it as a reminder to book tickets for that band you’ve been wanting to see.
- Focus on Your Own Fun: Don’t let FOMO dictate your happiness. Plan activities that genuinely excite YOU, not what your feed portrays as the “it” thing to do. A quiet night in with a good book can be just as fulfilling as a night out on the town.
FOMO is a complex emotion, but by understanding its power and wielding it wisely, we can turn it into a force for good. So next time you scroll through social media, take a deep breath, and remember – your life is an adventure, not a competition. Embrace your own journey, find joy in the little things, and who knows, maybe you’ll be the one inspiring others with your awesome life (curated or not!). And remember comparison is the thief of joy
