Ladies have you ever intentionally skipped a friend's event, passed on trends, and didn't care about what people were talking about just to find inner peace?

If so, Ladies, it means you've practiced the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO), the antithesis of Fear of Missing Out (FOMO).

What's that?

Finding Happiness in Missing Out

From its name alone, JOMO can be interpreted as taking time away to find happiness.

The term JOMO was first introduced by Anil Dash, a blogger from the US. In a blog post dated July 19, 2012, Anil provided insights into what he meant by JOMO.

When asked for advice by someone moving to New York City, he would typically recommend transportation options and public places to visit, among other things.

However, when asked about which events to attend in "The Big Apple," he would say it's perfectly okay to miss out on events, whether due to a tight budget, sold-out tickets, or missing a bus.

It's also common, he continued, for someone at an event to suddenly decide to leave because they feel underdressed, overdressed, or need to get some sleep for work the next day.

Or it's entirely normal for someone to stay home and be lazy, read a book, watch a movie, or engage in other activities. It's during these moments that one realizes it's okay to miss out on events or trends.

As one gets older, spending quality time at home playing with children is enough to bring happiness.

In conclusion, he said, happiness is achieved when one takes full control of oneself and is no longer driven by external factors.

Steps to Achieving JOMO

While FOMO can potentially trigger anxiety, stress, mental health disturbances, and a loss of life satisfaction, JOMO has the opposite effect. Some studies have found that JOMO leads to increased focus, control over obsessions, and a return to mental well-being.

Other studies indicate that FOMO isn't just about spending too much time online but stems from a desire to compare oneself with others. That's why many people who quit social media still get affected by FOMO.

On the other hand, JOMO may mean being less updated on current news, gossip, and other updates. But it's precisely why one feels content with what they have.

What should Ladies do to achieve JOMO?

1. Identify the Root Cause

As mentioned earlier, simply disconnecting from social media won't eliminate FOMO-related anxiety. First and foremost, Ladies need to identify the root of their anxiety.

As long as Ladies feel anxious about not getting the latest gossip, they'll continue to experience FOMO. Or as long as Ladies feel the need to follow fashion trends, they won't be satisfied with what they have.

Therefore, identify the root cause before achieving JOMO.

2. Dare to Say 'No'

Starting now, Ladies must be willing to decide what's a priority and what's not. There's nothing wrong with turning down a friend's invitation to gossip, declining a colleague's invitation to spend time at a bar, or refusing to join a gathering. In other words, Ladies must start being assertive.

True, this can be challenging for Ladies who are uncomfortable with confrontation. Therefore, it's important for Ladies to gradually and consistently practice until they become comfortable and no longer feel uneasy.

3. Prioritize Yourself

No, prioritizing yourself doesn't mean being selfish. There's absolutely nothing wrong with choosing to relax at home instead of attending a colleague's gathering.

In the end, we'll all realize that prioritizing ourselves to achieve happiness cannot be replaced by anything else, as Anil Dash mentioned earlier.

Happiness is complex and cannot be achieved just by applying JOMO, but at least Ladies are starting to gain a different perspective that they're free to do anything to achieve happiness as long as it doesn't harm others.

Besides JOMO, what else can make us calm and happy?

Find the answer at Fitie!