Episode 40: The FOMO Dilemma

Episode 40: The FOMO Dilemma

Hey there! Welcome back. I hope you’re doing well! Today, we’re reflecting on FOMO and why chasing the next best thing may be making you miserable. So, to begin with, let me define FOMO. Now, as a GenXer, I didn’t even know what the heck this was for quite some time, but I eventually found out that it stands for Fear of Missing Out. It’s that nagging feeling that you’re being left out of something amazing, something that everyone else is experiencing. It’s the reason why you stay up until 3am scrolling through your social media feeds looking at “just one more post”. FOMO can make us feel like we’re not living our lives to the fullest, like we’re missing out on some of the fun and excitement that the world has to offer. However, the truth is that it is often based on unrealistic expectations and a distorted view of reality.

So, let’s talk a little bit about why we’re so prone to FOMO and also how it’s affecting our overall happiness and well-being. I also want to offer some ideas of how to break away from the FOMO cycle and learn to appreciate what you have instead of fixating on what you lack.

So, let’s start with an example. Have you ever bought the latest iPhone only to find out that the next version is coming out in a few months? I cannot tell you how many times that has happened to me. Or have you ever landed a job that you really love only to start dreaming of an even better one a few months later? We have all been there, and it’s not an inherently bad thing to want to improve our lives. The issue is when this constant chase for something better starts affecting our self-worth and our ability to appreciate our current circumstances. It’s important to remember that we’re not defined by what we have or what we do. We’re defined by who we are as individuals. Our own self-worth shouldn’t be tied to the things we have, the careers we have, or even the relationships we have. We should be focused on accepting who we are while still striving for personal growth and development.

This constant discontent also affects our relationships. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing our relationships to others’ and feeling like we’re missing out on something better. We see couples on social media going on extravagant vacations, buying all these expensive gifts, and gushing about their seemingly perfect lives together. But we forget that these images are just their highlight reel and aren’t a true representation of their relationship. We need to shift that focus and energy towards our own relationship and be aware of the love and support that we already have. We need to work on building strong and healthy relationships instead of seeking something that might not even exist. (Note: I am talking about mutually affectionate and respectful relationships here. I am not encouraging people to live with abusive, unhealthy, or unhappy situations. You deserve love, kindness, and joy! I am just suggesting you take a moment to take some time to consider your relationship without referencing others’.)