You Won't Want to Miss This
Have you ever been sitting at home, scrolling through Facebook and suddenly see your friends out having fun without you? Do you then feel a pang of jealousy as you think about everything you're missing out on? That feeling is a result of FOMO: the fear of missing out.
FOMO has become such a hot topic in recent years that it earned an entry in the Oxford English Dictionary, which defines it as: "Anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on social media."
There is nothing new about the fear of missing out, though. People seem to have been afflicted by it since the beginning of time. Roman statesman Cicero had a particularly bad case of FOMO. When assigned work outside of the capital, he was so afraid he would miss out on something that he had letters sent to him every day with updates on Rome's latest happenings. Cell phones and digital technology have made the problem worse, especially among younger generations, who have grown up in a world of instant connectivity. For many, pressure to stay in the loop can be overwhelming.
Though FOMO may be an amusing acronym, it's no laughing matter. Individuals with intense FOMO feel a desperate need to compare themselves and keep up with everyone around them. They are so focused on the activities of others that they lose their ability to enjoy their own lives. For some, the urge to continually check up on the latest posts can be so strong that it's impossible to relax, leading to anxiety and declining achievement at work and school. Those who spend too much time on their cell phones may also become isolated from their friends and family.
The fear of missing out is a natural human emotion, so it might be impossible to avoid completely. To ensure that FOMO doesn't take over your life, learn when to put down your cell phone, focus on the present, and be thankful for what you have. You can also use FOMO to your advantage. If you feel jealous of someone else's accomplishments, use that feeling as motivation to pursue your own goals.
The fear of missing out can be a spur to greater achievement or a crippling habit. Learning how to handle FOMO is one thing no one should miss out on.
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