Fear of missing out or FOMO affects everyone, harming personal happiness and hampering inspiration. The “fear of missing out” is an uneasy, often all-consuming, feeling of missing important events.
It can arise when a birthday party happens. It can surge when the weekend rolls around. It can pop up when the phone doesn’t ring. FOMO is the fear that results when you think your peers are having more fun than you.
It can stir up beliefs that you are not good enough. It comes from wondering if they’re experiencing life’s best face when your face isn’t around.
Truth be told, FOMO is a widely experienced phenomenon. You’re not alone. The problem is that it can lead to an obsession with social media, create high levels of anxiety and contribute to your happiness. While FOMO is experienced by lots and lots of us, it is totally beatable. If you’re caught in a FOMO cycle, you can break the chain.
Where Does FOMO Come From?
Fear of missing out can be caused by many things: an imbalance between your home and work life, loss of sleep, loss of autonomy or a deep need for more competence. At the end of the day, however, FOMO is derived from the fear of unhappiness. So, really, the fear of missing out is just that: fear.
Our mental and spiritual happiness isn’t derived solely from social happiness, but it’s certainly influenced by it. Being “in the know” feels good. Centuries ago, humans roamed from group to group, finding food sources, entertaining themselves and experiencing life to its fullest.
Understandably, this survival instinct isn’t as useful in modern society. Between work, school and home lifestyles, it can be difficult to consolidate one’s time.
Simultaneously, we’re working to consolidate and enhance communication between our fellow humans, keeping one another up to date on news, events and social interactions. As a result, it’s easy to slip through the cracks. It’s easy to feel a little left out sometimes.
Whether you read a newspaper, watch television, browse Facebook or skim Instagram, you’re likely engaging a slew of social-related information. It’s impossible to be present everywhere at once, but your mind might be attached to its obsolete need to be included and in the know.
How To Overcome Fear of Missing Out
Overcoming FOMO is a beautiful experience. Even in today’s fast-paced, highly digital society, it’s possible to disconnect. To do so, however, you’ll need to return to your body’s natural state.
Disconnecting from the digital world helps. As a result, your mind will revert to its natural state. Where inspiration is concerned, you’ll become less self-destructive due to pervasive—and inaccurate—thoughts about the world’s going-on.
I’m going to tell you how to beat FOMO:
The answer is to practice mindfulness.
Only 20 minutes is needed. Settle in, and let the negative thoughts pass. By practicing mindfulness through meditation or daily affirmations once per day, you can bring your mind’s FOMO urges down.
Remember: The digital world isn’t an accurate depiction of life. You—right here and now—are the only accurate observer. Take time to fully experience it!
Every so often, a wonderful, opportunity arises. What if you could make every moment wonderful? Great moments can be stumbled upon, but they can also be generated by your own thoughts, actions, and perceptions.
How You Spend Your Time Matters
Many people are unaware of how little their daily rituals matter. How you spend your hours is how you spend your years. Likewise, how you spend your years is how you spend a lifetime.
We’re comprised of our experiences. Wonderful memories and special moments can be a part of these experiences, too, if you let them in. Spend time with family members. Spend time with your friends. Rather than waiting for a vacation, savor all the small pieces which construct your day.
The fear of missing out can make you feel like you’re not participating in your own world. Fortunately, you can reallocate your attention to become more immersed. Pay attention to your surroundings.
Feel the moment…
If the opportunity for happiness arises, don’t turn it away. Embrace it.
True peace can be obtained when one withdraws their attention from the negative and tends to the positive.
How To Break The FOMO Loop
The FOMO loop might be strong, but it can be broken. Look around. What positive things might you be taking for granted? What would happen if they were taken away? The more you’re inclined to gratitude, the less likely you’ll be to lose inspiration, become anxious or become lonely.
Our world goes by quickly, and life can easily be taken for granted. This is why those who feel secure in their relationships aren’t compelled to feel ever-connected.
Sometimes, insulating yourself from the world’s many possibilities can result in a higher degree of gratification. Loosen your grip, and let things flow. You might be surprised by what happens next. @JackCanfield (Click to Tweet!)
As the beloved originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series, Jack Canfield fostered the emergence of inspirational anthologies as a genre—and watched it grow to a billion dollar market. As the driving force behind the development and delivery of over 100 million books sold through the Chicken Soup for the Soul® franchise, Jack Canfield is uniquely qualified to talk about success. Jack is America’s #1 Success Coach and wrote the life-changing book The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be and Jack speaks around the world on this subject. Check out his newest book The 30-Day Sobriety Solution: How to Cut Back or Quit Drinking in the Privacy of Your Own Home. Follow Jack at www.jackcanfield.com and sign up for his free resources today!
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