Finding Joy in Missing Out

Isn't it wild how social media was supposed to bring us closer together, yet it often leaves us feeling more alone?

Apps like Instagram and Twitter (yeah, I still call it Twitter) are meant to bring us closer, but instead, they can make us anxious, insecure, and feeling like we're missing out. It's like stepping into a world where everyone's life seems perfect, and suddenly, our own reality feels lacking.

Navigating social media can be like walking through a minefield. There's so much going on, from offensive videos to fake product reviews and people constantly posting about their 'perfect' lives. No wonder we sometimes feel like we're missing out. Social media can be both a blessing and a curse. It's really up to us to figure out how to manage it for our own sanity.

The dreaded FOMO

Let's talk about FOMO, or Fear Of Missing Out. It's something we've all felt at some point. I used to experience FOMO a lot. I'd watch creators or friends flaunt their shiny new makeup, and I'd feel like I needed to have it too. It got so bad that I started cutting my lunch budget just to save up for expensive lipsticks. I just wanted to feel like I had what they had, to be part of the fun.

I never told anyone this before, but I also felt FOMO when my friends went to university, and I didn't. I went to a polytechnic institute, and it felt embarrassing to admit that when everyone was talking about their universities. It took a toll on my mental health, and I eventually had to cut off some friends and quit Instagram because I was constantly comparing myself to them.

FOMO is just that sinking feeling you get when you think you need something to feel better or when you feel left out because you're not where everyone else is. It's feeling inadequate because you're not surrounded by people or missing out on the latest trend.

With social media constantly showing us the next best thing every week and society pressuring us to be in exciting and cool places in order to be happy, it's no wonder so many of us feel FOMO!

Embracing JOMO

But what if we swapped FOMO for its happier cousin, JOMO?

JOMO, or Joy Of Missing Out, is all about finding joy in not being part of everything. When you embrace JOMO, the things that used to seem so important start to feel insignificant.

Now, I know what you're thinking. JOMO isn't about saying no to every night out or every invite or never buying anything. It's about loving your own company, being grateful for what you have, who you already are, finding happiness in the simple things, and not letting social media dictate your happiness.

For me, I felt better when I started listening to podcasts instead of scrolling through social media endlessly. Living simply and intentionally, finding joy in small things, doing digital detox every month, and being comfortable with myself made all the difference. Now, I can look at social media without getting upset—I just feel happy for others and move on.