No More FOMO. Embrace JOMO to Discover a Happier, Healthier Life!
Introduction
Have you ever chosen to spend some time alone with a book and your favorite movie instead of going to a party? Did you enjoy your time alone and not worry about the party photos or notifications on your phone? If so, you have probably experienced JOMO!
When you are happy, content, and warm with what you have, such as your comfort and coffee, you are experiencing JOMO. JOMO is the joy of missing out, which is the feeling of happiness and contentment that you get when you are not worrying about what others are doing.
What is Jomo And Why is it Important?
JOMO is an acronym for “Joy of missing out”. JOMO can be described as a feeling of contentment and satisfaction in what you are doing, or where you are at without thinking or worrying about what others are doing.
It can be said that JOMO is a type of self-care where one focuses only on their activity and willfully opts out of participating in activities they do not want to be a part of, even if other people are doing that activity. People who enjoy JOMO prioritize self-care and consciously choose to focus on relationships and activities that they value, rather than following a trend that others are blindly following just to fit in a culture or a trend.
Instead of signing for everything, people who experience JOMO, make a conscious decision whether or not to be a part of any activity. JOMO allows the person to indulge in self-care, and manage their time and energy consciously. Not only does it save time but also protects your mental health from unnecessary stress and anxiety to keep up with trends that you might not be genuinely interested in. Think of JOMO as a distant cousin of FOMO. JOMO is an antidote to FOMO.
The Negative Effects of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)
Fear of missing out, also known as FOMO, is a feeling of social inferiority, and loneliness someone feels when surfing social media sites because of a lack of sense of belongingness. In simple words, FOMO is a feeling of loneliness and anxiety when we think that we are left out of a group. This feeling of loneliness thinking that you are missing out on something that others are enjoying is called FOMO.
Humans have an innate need to belong to a group or a tribe. This need dates back to the beginning of human civilization where being alone could even cause starvation or death. Thanks to technological advancements people can stay connected 24/7, peeping into one another’s life through social media apps. This constant connectivity with other’s life has done more harm than good. Now that we can know what our friends are doing, where are they hanging out, and which brand they are wearing, this can cause us to constantly compare our lives with the lives of others. Therefore creating a sense of insecurity, inferiority, and a feeling that we are not enough.
Feeling of envy that is evoked when watching or looking the social media causes FOMO. FOMO evokes feelings of anxiety and depression, eventually destroying a person’s self-esteem. Due to people’s addiction to social media, FOMO is now becoming a vicious cycle. A cycle of looking at social media, feeling lonely, and again scrolling through social media to get out of that feeling. And the cycle goes on.
FOMO kills a person’s valuable time and takes a toll on their mental health.
Understanding the Benefits of JOMO
People who experience the JOMO can break free of comparisons; they don’t feel the necessity to be involved in every conversation; they are comfortable saying ‘no’ and ground their minds and concentrate on what matters to them.
Have you ever felt happy because you were missing out on a party invitation or certain social media trend because you wanted to enjoy your own company?
JOMO helps to create a Deeper connection with self and others around. It promotes better sleep and more creativity.
The Following are Common Benefits of JOMO
1. Reduced Stress:
Disengaging from social media and the continuous pressure to stay updated, you can experience a decrease in levels of anxiety and stress. JOMO allows you to focus on your well-being.
2. Enhanced Focus:
Social media is a constant distraction in today’s world, deviating your mind from important tasks. When you are not constantly distracted by social media pings, you can focus better on the task at hand. Thus increasing your productivity, and giving you a sense of accomplishment.
3. Deeper Connection to Oneself:
When you are not constantly consumed by the digital world, you can save your time and energy to invest in yourself and your loved ones. JOMO allows you to form and nurture stronger relationships with the people who matter to you, leading to a feeling of contentment.
4. Boosts Emotional and Physical Well-Being:
Embracing JOMO can improve your emotional and physical health both. JOMO encourages you to indulge in self-care and self-reflection. Therefore creating a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.
Steps to Cultivate JOMO in Your Life
1. Prioritise Genuine Experiences:
In this world where everyone is trying to show others how happy they are on social media sites. You can take a step back from showing off and feeling the experience. And live the excitement, fun, or joy.
2. Engage in Regular Digital Detox:
A lot of FOMO is a result of social comparisons based on what you see on the social media pages of your friends or acquaintances. Try to unplug for a set time every day or every week to ground yourself.
3. Invest in Offline Real Connections With People in the Real World:
Whether it is your family, partners, friends, neighbors, or coworkers you must try to spend time with them in person. It doesn’t have to be hours of the day, but spending quality time with loved ones is a great way to build meaningful relationships.
4. Practicing Mindfulness and Being Present:
Being present requires you to connect with your senses and to the real world around you. It needs you to feel the carpet under your feet, the cold in the air, and everything that comes in contact with your senses. This helps you to feel a deeper connection.
5. Finding Joy in Offline Activities and Hobbies:
This could mean a simple walk, singing all by yourself, or playing your favorite piano piece. Anything that makes you feel more grounded and alive.
Embracing Solitude And Alone Time
This is probably the most difficult part of cultivating a habit of JOMO experience. Especially in our demanding fast-paced lives, but it’s an essential part of JOMO to take care of yourself. This includes your diet, food, sleep, exercise, reading your favorite book, listening to your favorite song, etc. It could be a solo walk, a warm bubble bath, or meditation- whatever makes you feel calm and comfortable in your skin.
Setting Boundaries and Saying No
Another crucial step in developing JOMO is learning to say no. It means saying no to things that don’t align with your priorities. This means setting boundaries with friends, at work and learning to say no to social events that you don’t want to be a part of.
Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Balance With Technology
A healthy balance between real life and digital life is crucial for a peaceful mind and calm self. With the growing reach of social media, it has become even more difficult to maintain this balance. More generally called digital detox can help people to maintain a healthy balance with technology. Some of the tips to create this digital balance are as follows.
1. Establish Screen Time Limits:
Create daily or weekly screen time limits for different activities, such as work, social media, and entertainment.
2. Digital Detox:
Regular breaks from your devices are necessary to engage in activities that do not involve screens such as going for a walk, reading a physical book, or taking a bubble bath
3. Mindful Use of Social Media:
Be mindful of what you consume on the internet. unsubscribe from unnecessary apps. Unfollow all those accounts that make you feel inadequate. Limit the time you spend on social media. Most importantly avoid using social media sites before bedtime.
Conclusion: Embracing JOMO for a Happier, More Fulfilling Life
JOMO, that is the Joy of missing out is an antidote for FOMO. In today’s hectic, and speedy life JOMO is a necessary phenomenon that everyone should cultivate. It helps to enjoy the present moment in one’s life. JOMO is a new phenomenon that is all the rage. Cultivating JOMO can help people to enjoy life to the fullest.
Ready to live a happier, healthier life? Consult with Wownow – Marriage Counseling Centre today. Embrace JOMO and say goodbye to FOMO for good!