In simple language, fear of missing out (FOMO) is fear of missing out on the latest news, events, social activities, and meetings. Experiencing this condition makes a person feel that he is not as connected to society's latest happenings and trends as he would like.
This habit generally occurs because a person desires interpersonal relationships and a great sense of belonging. After all, he wants to have many connections or be part of an organization. When they feel less connected socially, emotional and physical pressure arises.
Fear of missing out is more common in teens, but it also doesn't rule out being experienced by adults, especially in a culture where everything is online. There is a tendency to compare oneself to others, for example, concerning achievements, which creates a negative self-image.
Characteristics of FOMO people
For example, feeling left out if you're not invited to a party, not invited to lunch with work friends, or not following the latest social media trends. Another example of people being FOMO is constantly regularly checking WhatsApp chats or other social media notifications. So when there's a new message, it's generally answered right away.
I need to know the latest news today, no matter what.
FOMO Impact
FOMO can affect you physically and mentally. Physically, when someone forces themselves to participate in all activities, the impact is fatigue, lack of sleep, headaches, reduced work productivity, lack of motivation, and burnout. From a mental health standpoint, FOMO can generate anxiety and loneliness. Someone often wonders such as:
- What happens if I am not present at an event?
- Will people talk negatively about me?
- Will people think I'm outdated because I don't follow a particular trend?
FOMO people also tend to show or talk about something they usually never show and talk about. These things are done so that other people consider them cool and know a lot. If these thoughts go by all the time and never stop thinking about them, it can eventually lead to depression.
FOMO can cause physical exhaustion and anxiety
How Do You Handle It?
Of course, over-engagement in social media can make one feel worse about themselves when we should be better individuals. Therefore, it is better to break this negative circle. Try to do the following things to fix this.
1. Change focus
Instead of focusing on shortcomings, it is better to further sharpen your strengths. For example, improving your make-up skills instead of watching videos of beautiful women and making yourself feel inferior. Choose accounts or news sources you feel comfortable with and increase your enthusiasm and motivation.
2. Digital Detoxification
The more time you spend playing social media, the more likely it is to become FOMO. Therefore, try digital detox, i.e., taking a short break from your smartphone, removing unnecessary applications, or setting a time limit on their use. This method can reduce the habit of comparing yourself to others.
3. Journaling
People with FOMO may care too much about whether people validate their experiences online. Try to keep a diary instead of thinking about it. Take a photo and print it, stick it in a journal, and record the memories of the picture. This method may be more memorable than uploading images on social media.
4. Build Real Relationships
Sometimes FOMO causes a person to ignore the real world and focus on the online world. Instead of worrying about how many people will like your social media post, you can build genuine relationships. Plan meetings or outings with close relatives. This method can ward off feelings of loneliness and increase feelings of happiness.
5. Be Grateful
Always be grateful for what you have today or today's good events is a form of gratitude. If necessary, write them down in a journal and tell other people. That gratitude will come when you realize how many things you have passed on or owned. Eventually, the feelings of anxiety and depression will subside. So go away, FOMO!
Thus, FOMO is characterized when a person fears missing out on the latest news, activities, or trends in their life. As a result, one tends to be fixated on social media and news portals. The impact is that people can overwhelm themselves with mental health disruption because they often compare themselves to others. Ladies, are you FOMO or not?