FOMO

When you're invited out with friends or co-workers do you always say yes? What if you're tired or simply don't want to? If you do decline, do you feel a little anxious and find yourself thinking about what might be happening? If any of this sounds familiar, perhaps you have FOMO - fear of missing out. This weekend as I was flipping through the recent issue of Marie Claire, I read an article that I thought was really interesting and addressed this issue. FOMO is described as "the latest syndrome plaguing do-it-all women... the nagging fear that everyone else is in on something that they're not". 

My poolside reading material.

I then thought about whether or not I had it, I decided the answer was no. If I've had a long week and am tired, or the weather is bad (read: snow - it is my driving nemesis), then I don't hesitate for a second about declining and invitation. Do I think about what might have been? For a second I might. Do I feel like I'm missing out? No, because other chances will arise and if there was something to miss out on, I'm sure someone will loop me in! I can however, identify some people in my life that I think might have it. People that always have to be somewhere, with someone, doing something. They never say no or turn something down. And if they do, you can feel their regret in doing so. For some people though, staying busy and doing everything is in their nature. For me, that just sounds stressful.

The article suspects, and I tend to agree, that this age of technology and social media is mostly responsible for turning FOMO from a thought or feeling, into an actual problem. I mean, let's be honest, back in the day you knew your friends/co-workers/whomever were getting together, but you wouldn't have to see it happen through live social streaming! All those status'. All those photos. 

In the article, Jessica Chivers, author and life coach says the root of the problem can be the number of choices we have today, which isn't always a good thing: "When presented with lots of choices, we become much less efficient at making decisions and less happy with the decisions we make. If I put you in a supermarket aisle with nine different types of cornflakes, you would enjoy your breakfast less than if you had to buy the only brand they stocked."

I think the most important thing at the end of the day is taking care of you. If you feel stressed or like you have a lot going on, just break away and do what you want to do! Whether it's with others or just you and a good book it's the right choice because it was your choice. Now, where's my glass of wine...