FOMO and JOMO

FOMO and JOMO

Posted on by Kimaya Kolhe

It’s been a year when I read about FOMO. So yesterday, in my training session, I asked students if they were familiar with this acronym ‘FOMO’ and one of the students said this – “Mam, FOMO is the old one. There’s a new  one on the list! JOMO!”. Lovely ! Without knowing anything about it I immediately decided that my next post would be all about FOMO and JOMO. 

Maybe some of you already know about FOMO and JOMO. But my post is for those readers who have never heard about YOLO,  FOMO and JOMO.

You must be wondering exactly what these funny acronyms stand for. Right?

So let me tell you something. I mean I can relate this experience to FOMO.

What is FOMO ?

Once I went with my friend to buy a puppy. When we reached the owner’s bungalow, they asked us to play with the puppy for some time, for a week or so. This way, he would get familiarized with us and could leave his current house happily.

As per the instructions we started playing with that innocent creature. We enjoyed it so much and it was the time to leave. We planned to come again the next day but while leaving I mistakenly looked at that puppy.

And don’t know how, but his eyes said many things to me. I just stood there, stunned. It was a feeling of left out. 

It’s the exact feeling, when all your friends go somewhere and you are not invited. It shakes your emotional balance. 

That’s called FOMO. Fear of Missing Out.

Author Brene Brown speaks to this perfectly. In her book Braving the Wilderness, she writes, “Humans are hard-wired for connection.” It’s completely normal for us to desire a sense of belonging. Isn’t it? 

FOMO is said to have been a product of the rise of social media, and is used to describe people who have the unjustified belief that they are missing out on the fun, and that everyone else is having a much better time than they are. 

FOMO—the fear of missing out—the fear of not experiencing something. It’s the fear of not being invited. 

And that’s the real killer: FOMO stops you from ever being truly present in the moment.

FOMO Issues :

There are a huge range of social channels that people can now check up on their friends and what they are doing, and with Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter being the main culprits, in today’s society there seems to be no escape.

Just look around. We all see people checking their phones constantly. And they get distracted with this. They’re afraid if they don’t keep looking at their screens, they might miss out on an experience, a relationship, or even a piece of information.

When we’re constantly on social media and looking at what other people are doing in their lives, we fail to live in the moment in the life we’re actually living.

To get more clarification about yourself, answer few of the questions:

Do you check Facebook feed or Instagram while you are on date?

Or Do you check your Whatsapp status immediately after getting up in the morning or before going to bed?

Do you feel panic if there’s no internet connection in your phone?

Or Have you ever felt left out when all  your friends are going for a movie or picnic?

Or Do you care more about the things your friends are doing without you? 

If, even a single answer is ‘yes’, dear friend you are in the ‘FOMO’ group and need to turn your FOMO into JOMO.

What does JOMO stand for? 

When my student said the word ‘JOMO’,  I really felt, I was not so cool. I am not aware of all these cool latest things. 

‘Okay, and that stands for?’ – I asked.

‘Joy of Missing Out’ – He said.

My eyes brightened and I yelled, ‘OH ! That’s me!!! I’m JOMO!!  I love missing out on what I’m not sure I’m missing out on. And as I don’t know what I’m missing out on, it makes me very Happy missing it all!!!’

We all laughed together. We realized that the answer to happiness lies in JOMO. 

JOMO is the complete opposite to FOMO and it is where you simply relish the time alone, unplugging emails, texts and all social networks, and simply cultivating your very own relationship with yourself. 

Now there is a whole new culture that actually encourages this. ‘you-time’ really is something that you can enjoy and not worry that you’re missing out – simply because all of your friends will be doing exactly the same thing. As ‘YOLO’ says, You Only Live Once, embrace JOMO. 

joy of missing out

FOMO and JOMO : How to turn FOMO into JOMO

Set social media boundaries. And always feel satisfied when you know you’re right where you need to be. 

It’s about doing what you want to do rather than what advertising or social media make you feel you should do. Agree ? Just disconnect and reconnect.

So, this holiday season, enjoy a movie… or don’t. It’s up to you. Have positive self talk regularly. Just make sure, whatever you choose, that you’re in the moment, living your own experiences and making your own memories.

Conclusion :

FOMO and JOMO sounds a bit weird, but now they’re in the dictionary! 

So, the next time you see a post on social media, don’t feel left out; don’t feel so all alone any more in your world of JOMO. Embrace JOMO.

44 thoughts on “FOMO and JOMO”

  1. Thank You so much all For your encouraging Words…! Best hopes for you. Stay Blessed & Happy Always 😊
    Very educative, happy to join your family, hope likewise to stay in touch, Big thumbs up

    Reply

  2. Really kimu it’s very nice, make our own soul energetic and happy . Great job..nice concept.

    Reply

  5. I went through a FOMO stage in my mid-20s which sent me broke. Lesson learnt. I’ve been JOMO-ing for a few years now and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

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  7. I love this, instead of being angry and upset about not being able to go somewhere, be happy for those that get to go and enjoy other opportunities

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  9. I used to suffer from FOMO. So much to the point that I would sneak out as a kid to go to a friends house for whatever reason.

    Reply

    1. Remember one thing. You have to analyze yourself. And that’s possible only when you are alone. Don’t just flow with the stream. Try to take out some time only for ‘you’. Or only with your family. Disconnect from the outer world to flourish your inner world.

      Reply

  10. I don’t suffer from FOMO, and I totally get JOMO. The thing that hit me recently was YOLO, right after Kobe Bryant’s death. I went online and bought non-refundable one way tickets to Paris for my daughter and I.

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  11. I need to take you advice. I need to embrace JOMO more. I’m much more of a FOMO girl. The extrovert in me just can’t handle missing out!

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    1. Oh! Do one thing. Purposely forget your mobile at your office. And get it back the next day. And enjoy your time without your mobile. That’s it! Embrace JOMO.

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  12. I already heard the word FOMO before and JOMO is a new word to me and I am so happy knowing the meaning of it.

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  16. This is such a great article. This is my firs time learning about JOMO. I learned something new today!

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  18. I hadn’t heard of JOMO before. I like it! I try to never have FOMO because I try to focus on what I DO have in my life. I do have JOMO. 🙂

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      1. It is the first time that i have heard of JOMO I guess that’s me. I’m happy when no one notices me. But even though i am a JOMO I enjoyed being YOLO.

        Reply

I would appreaciate hearing your thoughts on this.