If You Have FOMO, Read This

Summary

The article discusses the concept of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), its impact on individuals, particularly millennials, and offers advice on overcoming it by fostering self-confidence and healthy social interactions.

Abstract

The piece titled "If You Have FOMO, Read This" delves into the prevalent issue of FOMO, a phenomenon where individuals feel anxious or sad about missing out on social events or experiences, often exacerbated by social media. It suggests that while FOMO is a common reaction, it can lead to deeper issues like depression and anxiety for some. The author, emphasizing personal observation rather than expertise, points out that true friendship and self-acceptance are key to overcoming FOMO. The article encourages readers to engage in meaningful social interactions, develop a strong sense of self-worth independent of external factors, and use social media responsibly. It concludes with a call to action for living life fully and seeking professional help for severe anxiety related to FOMO.

Opinions

FOMO is a normal emotion but can significantly affect one's mental health, leading to feelings of inadequacy.
The need for constant validation from peers is unhealthy, and true friends are those who support and uplift you.
Self-confidence should stem from within and not be dependent on material possessions or physical appearance.
Social media should be used to connect with others rather than to compare oneself to others or engage in negative behaviors.
Individuals should embrace spontaneity and live life to the fullest, as emphasized by the phrase "YOLO" (You Only Live Once).
Professional psychological help is recommended for those experiencing serious anxiety due to FOMO.

If You Have FOMO, Read This

FOMO by Uzy

If you don’t know what FOMO means, then you live under a rock. For those of you who do live under a rock, FOMO means Fear Of Missing Out. Have you ever logged on to Snapchat or Instagram and seen stories of your friends having fun without you? It makes us all feel sad, right? However, if it resonates with you and you think about it for more than five minutes, you have FOMO.

Everyone has FOMO to some extent. Some feel bad for a second then move on with their lives, but some get depressed and go into anxiety due to FOMO. Am I not fun enough? Am I not cool enough? Am I not liked? There are the thoughts a person with FOMO has. This phenomenon is usually observable in millennials and mostly has to do with their self-confidence or their friend group.

Before I continue, I want to establish that I am no expert on this subject, and I am just writing about what I have noticed in my friend circle. Some individuals find the need to be around people all the time to receive validation. Being very social is a great ability to have; however, we have to understand that our friends have their own lives and cannot be with us all the time. Furthermore, Be careful of the people you call friends; make sure you enjoy being with them, and that you have their back and they have yours. Your friend group should not be just a means to look cool or to have a popular social image. As Oprah said: “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.”

I’m not saying that you don’t need any friends or that you are your best friend or something cheesy like that. Social interaction is a building block of society, and it’s important to have friends. Just make sure your crew is right for you. I would say socialize with a variety of people, because people are beautiful, and give it time: the real ones will stick around.

Lack of self-confidence is another reason why people have FOMO. People manifest their confidence from different aspects of their lives. It could be how they look, how much money they have, a skill they have, or their dreams. And then there are few people with pure, beautiful confidence; there’s something about their eyes, their smile which radiates hope and empathy. These people don’t get their confidence from tangible things. You could have a car accident and lose your good looks, or get robbed and lose all your money. Will your confidence disappear? To reach that level, one has to embark on a journey, slay dragons, defeat armies single-handed, and overthrow kingdoms. Or one could look deep within one’s self.

Businessman Superhero Flying by jemastock2(Canva)

Your self-confidence depends on a lot of factors which you cannot control. Your family, your family’s financial situation, your neighborhood are some factors which you cannot control. However, ‘I was born to a poor family’ is not a good reason to lower your confidence. The journey to high self-esteem starts with self-acceptance. The things you cannot control or change should not affect you; instead, start taking care of what is in your hand. From here, the journey is what you make it to be; you have to take it on yourself; no one can do it for you.

One more thing I would recommend doing is keep your social media usage to a minimum. Ideally don’t use it at all, but then you will officially become a boomer. Use social media in its essence: to connect with people; not stalk them or spread rumors about them.

Now go live your life to the fullest; be spontaneous; go wild; give no shizzles. And start posting those cool Instagram stories yourself, because YOLO. For those that live under a rock, Google it this time.

P.S. if you have serious anxiety because of FOMO, I recommend going to a psychologist.