HAVE you ever scrolled through your social media and felt like there was something missing in your life?
How about that nagging feeling that you’re missing out on something fun or exciting that’s happening elsewhere?
Perhaps the things you see online make you compare your life to others, which is the crueler side of social media, the one they don’t tell you about.
Or do you often find it difficult to decline an invitation or event because you’re worried about missing out on something fun and important while you’re away?
This feeling is what people call “FOMO,” or the fear of missing out.
According to the website Verywell Mind, FOMO can refer to the feeling or perception that others are having more fun, living better lives, or experiencing better things than you are. It involves a deep sense of envy and can take a serious toll on your self-esteem.
This sense of anxiety or inadequacy can sometimes lead to over-commitment or trying to keep up with everyone else, even if it’s not in your best interest.
Take, for example, the days wherein you want nothing more than to just lay in bed and binge-watch your favorite series, but instead, force yourself to go out with friends just so you can say that you didn’t miss out.
Even though, when you look back on that night, you can’t help but think: What did you miss out on, really?
While the idea of FOMO is not new to our era, it has become more obvious and has been studied more often given the advent of social media.
What triggers FOMO?
Seeing others post about their activities on social media or feeling like you’re missing out on more opportunities can trigger FOMO.
You might feel anxious about missing out on events or opportunities, which can lead to stress and worry. To avoid missing out, you overcommit to activities or events, stretching yourself too thin, and potentially causing yourself to feel overwhelmed.
Gabrielle Perez, 21, told republicasia in an interview that much of her outgoing personality stems from the fear of missing out.
“Kaya madalas akong sumasama sa mga gala kapag inaaya ako ng mga friends ko kahit busy ako kasi ayokong ma-miss out yung moments, kaya I’m that type of friend talaga na G sa halos lahat ng bagay,” she said.
For Jeanne Uy, 20, saying “no” is difficult for her because she does not want to disappoint people.
“Tuwing nai-invite ako or nao-offeran ng opportunity, nahihiya ako tumanggi kasi may pagka-people pleaser ako,” she explained.
“I don’t want to disappoint them even though there are times na valid naman ang magiging reason ko for saying no.”
Aaron Chavez, 24, often finds himself constantly comparing his life to others when using social media, which leads to feelings of inadequacy or dissatisfaction.
He said: “Hindi ko maiwasan yung times na nakukumpara ko yung sarili ko sa iba pag nagso-social media ako. Hindi naman ako against sa mga nagpo-post ng achievements nila, ang ginagawa ko nalang usually is binabawasan yung oras ko sa social media to avoid feeling such.”
Overcoming FOMO
Fortunately, you can embrace strategies to overcome FOMO and reclaim your focus, even if it feels like a recurring challenge.
- Set clear priorities: Identify what truly matters to you and focus on those areas. This helps you make decisions based on your own values and interests rather than external pressures. Something you can do to make this easier is limit your time on social media platforms that cause FOMO. Consider setting specific times for checking social media or taking regular breaks from it.
- Set boundaries: Establish limits on how often you attend events or check up on others’ activities. Setting these boundaries can help reduce the feeling of missing out.
- Cultivate gratitude: Focus on what you have rather than what you’re missing. Keeping a gratitude journal or regularly reflecting on the positive aspects of your life can shift your perspective.
By focusing on our own path and celebrating our unique experiences, we turn the fear of missing out into the joy of discovering what truly matters.
After all, the most fulfilling journey is the one we embrace fully, not the one we stress about missing.
With reports from Cedrix Leppago
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