Have you ever heard of #FoMO? It's a feeling that can distract us from being fully engaged with our loved ones. It's what leads us to constantly check our phones, even when there are no new messages. It's that feeling that causes us to feel #envious of others who are doing something we're not or who are in a place we're not. Ultimately, it also prevents us from being #grateful for the good things in our lives. And it's the subject of today. Thank you all for joining me - it's great to have you here.
Why did I choose to talk about FoMO?
The reason I chose to talk about FoMO is its prevalence among people, including myself. FoMO has a significant impact on our daily lives, affecting our mood and overall happiness. I recall feeling a sense of discomfort while watching a birthday celebration, despite not being close to the celebrant. And although invited, I would have declined. I experienced a sense of missing out. Since then, I have noticed several instances of FoMO in my life and fortunately have taken steps to fight it. Through this post, I aim to share my experience, raise awareness of this issue, and encourage others in the same situation, to join me so that together we break the cycle.
What is FOMO?
The concept of Fear of Missing out (FoMO) was first introduced in 2004 to describe a phenomenon observed on social networking sites. British psychologists later defined it in 2013 as a pervasive apprehension of missing out on rewarding experiences others may be having. FoMO is characterized by the desire to remain connected with others' activities, and it can manifest as a short-term feeling, long-term disposition, or an intense emotional state that leads to social inferiority, loneliness, or rage. In today's society, individuals are constantly exposed to information about others' activities, leading to uncertainty about their own life choices. FoMO comprises two processes: the perception of missing out, followed by compulsive behavior to maintain social connections.
Signs of FOMO:
The Fear of Missing Out is not yet classified as a medical condition by healthcare professionals. However, research suggests that there are several common indicators of FOMO in relation to social media usage. These include:
Spending an excessive amount of time on social media while neglecting other responsibilities,
Deriving happiness mainly from social media usage,
Feeling extreme discomfort and negative emotions when unable to use social media or stay updated on friends' activities,
Basing self-worth on others' opinions,
Feeling excluded and left behind if missing out on online conversations,
Feeling a strong urge to replicate attractive activities seen on social media,
Experiencing reduced need for sleep,
Engaging in extreme socialization both online and offline,
Experiencing decreased life satisfaction when not interacting online.
What causes FoMO:
The impact of Social Media:
Recent research has shown a strong correlation between the fear of missing out (FoMO) and other mental health constructs, such as anxiety and depression. In a study performed by Wolniewicz and colleagues (2018), the results showed that out of all the psychopathology-related variables proposed, FoMO appeared to have the strongest relationship with problematic smartphone use and social media usage.
It's not hard to find people of all ages glued to their smartphones for hours, watching videos circulated on instant messaging apps or scrolling through people's social media feeds without realizing the actual amount of time spent online. The prevalence of social media use in younger populations may contribute to higher levels of FoMO in this demographic. FoMO has been found to mediate the relationship between depression, anxiety, and loneliness in the context of social media engagement. Additionally, FoMO can be triggered by social media photos of missed social events, highlighting the potential impact of social media on mental well-being. These findings suggest the need for further exploration of the relationship between FoMO and mental health, particularly in the context of social media use.
The impact of Covid-19:
At the onset of 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) proclaimed Coronavirus (COVID-19) to be a global public health emergency. This pandemic has caused a ripple effect in every aspect of life, including amplified poverty, unemployment, inequality, travel limitations, and an unparalleled load on healthcare. Along with the social and economic disruption, the outbreak has also brought about significant, yet subtle, emotional and psychological consequences. The current global health crisis has precipitated an undeniable proliferation of digital resources and social networking, thereby intensifying the pervasive influence of the Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) on our daily existence.
Goodbye FoMO, Hello JoMO.
In this age of social media excesses, a few people are consciously opting for the 'Joy of Missing Out' in an attempt to live more mindfully. The Urban Dictionary defines JoMO as a state where 'you're enjoying what you're doing in the here and now and not on social media broadcasting or seeing what everybody else is doing. It's the opposite of FoMO'.
Indulging in activities like reading, playing sports, painting, cooking, or snuggling with a pet can be really good for our mental health. By taking a break from our phones and other gadgets, we'll have more time to do things that actually matter. When we're not constantly checking social media, we can focus on living our life without all the drama. It's also a good idea to try a digital detox every now and then, which is widely hailed for its benefits on the body, mind, and professional, personal, and social relationships.
According to a study conducted by Guilford Journals, limiting social media use to 30 minutes per day can result in improved mental health and well-being. “What people don't realize is that the constant onslaught of negative news or any content affects our health, and in many cases, we have seen children withdraw from real-life interactions or lose interest in playing, eating and even sleeping,” says Sonal Kapoor, a counselor working with a Mumbai school. But as she also says:
“Disconnecting from virtual lives is only half the battle won; the other half is in reconnecting with things that give you happiness.”
Waw. What a pleasure it was for me to write this post. Am much more happy because I have also learned a lot about FoMO, and thankfully am also better armed to face it. I hope you guys have appreciated it too. In conclusion, I want us to remind that we are humans. And as humans, we have finite time and finite resources. We cannot be everywhere, we cannot do everything at the same time. So the best thing we can do is to focus on the now, and on what really matters to us. I will end by paraphrasing Theodore Roosevelt who said:
“Comparison is the thief of joy.”
Let's stop comparing ourselves. And start appreciating who, where we are, and what we have. Together, let's #break_the_cycle. Thank you for reading. May God bless you, take care.
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