FOMO: Fear of Missing Out. It’s a buzzword we’ve all been hearing, so much so that it was added to the dictionary in 2013.
Defined as the uneasy and sometimes all-consuming feeling that you’re missing out, FOMO can worsen anxiety and depression and leave you feeling like you didn’t make the cut as you scroll through your Instagram feed and watch Snapchats stories from afar.
FOMO, which starts with sadness, can develop into more as we are continually exposed to the carefully manufactured digital lives of those we follow. But it’s important to remember that, like you, everyone else is putting their best foot forward on social media. To help squelch the sadness before it even develops into FOMO, try these rituals.
If you’re already in the throes of FOMO, the first cure is focusing your attention on things other than social media. Put down your phone, unplug for a weekend and do what makes you happy.
Whether it be road tripping to see your favorite band live, relaxing on a yoga retreat or dusting off your art supplies and creating something amazing—plan an activity for yourself that brings back the spark you’re lacking.
The other cure? Gratitude.
Try keeping a journal and writing down three things per day that you’re thankful for—big or small. Review the journal each week, and you’ll see that you’re truly not missing out on anything.
Lastly, although Facebook and Instagram can make it seem like you’re the only one not at that movie premiere or on the beach, social media can also be used to make plans, not just feel excluded from them. If you often catch yourself on the internet wishing you were out and about, the fix is quick! Resolve to reach out via social media and set up an in-person hangout sesh with your vinas next time.
Create an account on the Hey Vina! app now for the most direct way to meet new vinas and plan social gatherings. Get swipin’!
(Feature image via MrCheyl)
VINAZINE 