How many of you feel like owning the same gadgets that your favorite YouTuber owns? Or visiting the same restaurant that your classmate did visit last week? Well, sufficing for the fact that competition is high with the rising use of the internet and social media. About 63% of Americans follow a specific brand they came across in an influencer’s post. Also, as per another study, 56% of the global population suffers from the fear of missing out. On the contrary, in recent years, studies have revealed people approaching a habit of sound mental health with The Joy of Missing Out (JOMO). For them, it is all about solitude and an intention to spend quality time with oneself or the people they love.
What Is The Joy Of Missing Out, And How Can It Help People Get Over FOMO?
A counter-response to the anxiety and impulsivity induced by the Fear Of Missing Out is JOMO, or the Joy Of Missing Out, seen among individuals who are satisfied with their life. These people continue to enjoy their life without worrying about the whereabouts of others or social norms intact. Thus living a life of minimalism and mindfulness. They are comfortable with not being able to attend it all and posting pictures on the internet.
Most of the world battles with social media anxiety and goes back to checking over their Instagram feed every five minutes, seeking instant gratification. The concept of JOMO teaches one to move towards the path of digital detox, encouraging relaxation and self-prioritization.
According to the teachings of JOMO, you will be able to find the true meaning of focusing on your five senses and enjoy situations as they are. It is all about overcoming peer pressure and avoiding comparison and envy.
Difference Between FOMO And JOMO
For a detailed understanding of the differences between FOMO and JOMO, look at the points mentioned below:
- With the internet becoming the most dominant, people, by default, tend to feel insecure in their daily lives. So those questioning, “Is the fear of missing out a real thing?” finally get answers with their behavior.
- In the name of establishing one’s exclusivity from the rest, these people try to please others they think have the upper hand. A person suffering from FOMO always tries to please others with their gestures without prioritizing themselves.
- On the other hand, JOMO is all about self-care and prioritization of individual feelings. You need to understand your purpose in life and why you chose to be so. However, to embrace JOMO, you need to decipher the driving force behind the Fear Of Missing Out and try to get rid of the same.
- Also, JOMO helps you lead a life free of unnecessary social commitments and problematic constraints. High self-control and deeper knowledge about oneself help a person continue with JOMO. It is a state of mind where you know your soul and want to live life as directed by the voice inside. Relaxation has a different meaning when you are truly able to enjoy JOMO.
Why Should You Ditch FOMO For JOMO?
The very first reason to replace FOMO with JOMO is to take charge of the life you want to lead. With JOMO, you can paint your life’s picture using the color you desire. On the contrary, FOMO-driven instances will make you live a life that focuses on neglecting inner voices and saying yes to societal whereabouts.
Also, if rewards drive you, there is good news! Live a life minus your smartphone for a year and prove it over a lie detector test. Voila! A Vitaminwater company will offer you 100,000 dollars. But remember, it is a game for the brave, and those with enough self-control will only try.
What Is A JOMO (Joy Of Missing Out) Lifestyle?
The JOMO lifestyle can initially make you question your socializing skills, but things will get easy with time. You will get off that bandwagon of trendiness and embrace life as it is. There will be an influx of habits facilitating self-growth and gratitude at greater levels.
Further, here is a survey-specific result by VoucherCodes.co.uk, stating data collected from 2200+ people across the UK. The millennials claimed they were happy with the thought of giving up on socializing and continuing with their own company. At the same time, the other half exclaimed that the time spent with oneself is necessary for self-growth. Here is a list of their favorite activities, all this time at home:
- Binge-watching a show of their own choice (32%)
- Not getting dressed at all (33%)
- Reading (27%)
- Going to sleep early (29%).
Instances Where JOMO (Joy Of Missing Out) Went Wrong
The JOMO lifestyle looks quite promising, helping people with their unnecessary fears. But research also has come up with a different attribute to the same. As per a recent study, people do like to cancel events because they are trying to avoid social interaction rather than anything else. The researcher and his team surveyed 500 participants divided into two sets. The type of questions included those asked to understand better the motive behind practicing a JOMO lifestyle.
In the first phase, JOMO and FOMO scores were quite close. People scored the same on their ability to deal with social anxiety, mindfulness, and life satisfaction. So the team went forward with the second phase. They were able to find a complete group enjoying JOMO. But the quantity was less, 10% of the total participants. Moreover, this group continued with a sense of loneliness.
Thus, the researchers question the efficiency level of the feeling that comes with JOMO. And whether it is a constructive phase of mind that one can maintain. He also proposed that JOMO is more useful when linked with specific personality traits and not for all. But only future studies will be able to prove so.
