FOMO is a short form of the phrase “fear of missing out,” a term that’s used to describe the feelings people experience when they’re made aware of the things that they want but other people have. These feelings can be related to material possessions or experiences in general. Some people feel discouraged when they see all the new gadgets that people on social media are talking about while others are down when they hear about other people’s travel plans, events they’ll attend, or people they’ll meet.
Why Do We Feel This Way?
It’s relatively normal to desire the things you don’t have, but these wants can become a source of negativity. The connectivity that social media brings the general public makes it a lot easier to see so many products and events that others are involved with, and it just might encourage feelings of inferiority.
The grass always seems to be greener on the other side, and though the term FOMO is relatively new, the concept of envy has been around for a long time. For centuries, human beings have looked at their peers and reached the conclusion that they “need” what those other people have. They then struggle with the thought that they’re somehow missing out on something special when they don’t have the same things.
Coping Tips
It can be hard to let go of the thoughts and desires that take up space in our minds. After all, that’s the whole point of advertising, making the viewer feel like they absolutely need what they’re seeing.
Practice these strategies to move past your FOMO feelings this summer.
- Focus on what you have. It’s normal to want things, but before these wants start making you miserable, take some time to appreciate the things you already have and the experiences you’ve already participated in.
- Take a break from social media. Sometimes, taking a break from social media can reduce your exposure to things you want but can’t have or events you want to partake in but can’t. Give yourself a week away from social media to clear your mind.
- Accept that you can’t have/do everything. There are so many things and experiences in this world that there’s no way you can have or do everything. Accepting that is part of the human experience and while it sounds disappointing, this realization can be very freeing. Experience what you can, have what you can, and teach yourself to be okay with the difference between can/do and can’t/don’t.
- Practice mindfulness. Meditate on the grand scheme of life and ask yourself if the product or event you’re yearning for truly matters. Do you really need it to be happy in life? Is this going to transform the way you live? If not, work on letting this desire go. It takes time, but when you’re mindful, you learn healthy ways to move through life.
Life will be full of enriching experiences, and if you miss out on one thing, don’t let it get you down. There will be other things and other experiences that you’ll enjoy. In the meantime, try to work on keeping meaningful connections with people who matter to you. In addition, keep practicing mindfulness techniques to help you put your thoughts and feelings into perspective.
