We live in a culture of ‘busy’, where frantically running from one activity to the next, packing our schedules, and taking on more than we need to is normal. After all, if you’re not busy doing something, what are you doing?
While being busy and productive is a good thing, there’s a downside of cramming your days with activities. You don’t get a chance to take in the present, to really be present in any situation. Embracing the Joy Of Missing Out (JOMO) is one way to break the cycle of busy and appreciate the here and now. Here’s why it’s an important part of your self-care journey…
From Busyness to FOMO
Whether your day involves getting the kids up early for school before heading to work, a 5AM gym routine followed by a day of meetings, or a full schedule of traveling, you’re caught up in the bubble of busy most of the time. It’s a comfortable place to be most days, and you get a lot done in 24 hours. But all that activity and energy can leave you feeling drained at the end of the day. And sometimes, there’s nothing really to show for it.
You can try and break away, to stop checking your phone or email inbox. You can say ‘no’ to social events but still find yourself trying to keep up with what everyone else was doing on social media.
The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) was coined in the middle of the social media era when people realized how they felt when they didn’t have access to their phones to keep up with Facebook and Instagram updates. The anxiety and even fear that they were missing out on something kept them hooked on their phones.
The Downside Of “Being Connected”
The more you participate in social media or try to keep up with everyone’s lives, the more anxious you can feel about your own. The habit of trying to keep up with everyone when it comes to life, money, your career, or even your relationships, can affect your mental well-being.
Thanks to social media, it’s just too easy to keep tabs on everyone else’s lives and feel as though you need to keep up.
Even worse: It’s easy get stuck in the bad habit of comparing. So there’s the anxiety about not being connected and then anxiety about comparing ourselves to others.All this connection we convince ourselves is good for us could actually be hurting us.
Think about how much time you spend each day scrolling through Facebook or Instagram, forming an opinion about what you see. How much of that do you use to compare your life with others? Plus, this is another way to stay busy. You’re preoccupied and giving away your time to something that can’t give you much back.
The Joy Of Missing Out
JOMO is the idea that there’s an immense amount of value in not being busy. You can live your life where you’re able to pace yourself throughout the day, appreciate the world around you and be completely present when you’re connecting with other people.
It means being able to break away from distractions like social media without feeling anxious — not easy to do today, especially when everyone is so “connected".
Embracing JOMO can help you feel more centered and more in control of your life. It’s a way of being and going through your days without the anxiety of missing out on something better. Think of it as a self-care practice.
Ways to Embrace JOMO
Embracing JOMO can help you feel more centered and more in control of your life. It’s a way of being and going through your days without the anxiety of missing out on something better. Think of it as a self-care practice. You can:
- Tune out or turn off social media apps for at least 24 hours
- Add a meditation routine to your day to feel more grounded and centered
- Start a gratitude journal to think about things in your present reality you appreciate
- Light a candle and sit still to watch the flame for a few minutes, bringing your attention to the here and now
- Be completely present, whether you are doing a work-related task or you’re talking to someone in person or over the phone. Eliminate distractions completely so your mind isn’t preoccupied with other activities or thoughts about being somewhere else.
When you can make the conscious decision to step back, appreciate what you have, and live life without comparing, you get to experience the Joy Of Missing Out (JOMO) — being at peace with the here and now.
What are your thoughts on JOMO? Share in the comments below and be sure to join our email list for more tips and insider advice!
