FOMO: Fear of Missing Out
Why We Feel Left Out Constantly
FOMO (fear of missing out) isn’t just a trendy Gen-Z word, it’s a real psychological phenomenon. It’s the anxious feeling that you’re being left behind, that something cooler, more exciting, or more fulfilling is happening somewhere out there, without you. And the thing is, it’s not new. However, social media turned that need to compare oneself to others into something that is felt 24/7. Now we’re constantly being exposed to what everyone else is doing, achieving, buying, eating, and becoming.
What we should be aware of is that social media is the ultimate FOMO machine. It never shows the messy stuff: the boring day, the 10-minute easy meal, the awkward silences, the loneliness. It only shows the wins and glow-ups. We scroll, compare, and always feel behind as if we’re all running a race we didn’t sign up for. We all know inside we are comparing our real life to someone else’s edited highlight reel, but it does not help the feeling of missing out anyway.
There are some stuff you can turn the volume down on FOMO, though.
1. Curate Your Feed
Unfollow or mute accounts that trigger unhealthy comparisons. Follow people who inspire without pressuring. Follow those who choose to share their lives without filters, not just the wins.
2. Remember No One’s Life Is Perfect
Everyone is dealing with things you’ll never see online. Even those who look like they’ve got it all together are figuring things out, just like you.
3. Practice JOMO (Joy of Missing Out)
Yes, that’s a real thing. Try embracing the quiet, the offline moments, the joy of not doing it all. It’s not just okay, it’s necessary.
4. Re-center Yourself
What do you actually want? What fills you up? Let that guide you more than whatever’s trending. Remember you live for yourself, not for those on social media.
FOMO is a deeply humane feeling. It’s okay to feel it, but don’t let it make you question your own journey. You’re not behind. You’re not missing out on your life. It’s happening right now in the quiet, imperfect, small, and real moments.