In the past, people with social anxiety might have found it difficult to make friends and feel included. Today, however, things have changed – and not in a good way. Social media has made life much more difficult for those struggling with shyness or fear of rejection. If you’re reading this article, there’s a big chance that you’ve experienced FOMO at least once in your life. If you don’t know what FOMO is, let us explain it for you: “Fear of missing out” is the intense feeling that accompanies the idea that if you do not attend an event or take part in some activity you will miss out on something important and exciting. This article will help you understand why so many people are falling prey to FOMO, as well as how to avoid FOMO when it comes to social media usage.
First of all, let’s try to understand why so many people are falling prey to FOMO. One reason for this is that humans have always been social creatures who have thrived by connecting to others. Over time, this innate tendency has been exacerbated by technological advancements. Specifically, the rise of social media has allowed people to connect with others on a scale and a level of intensity that was unimaginable even a decade ago. Now, you don’t need to be in the same room as your friend to see what they ate for breakfast or to know what their latest thoughts are on politics.
If you find that FOMO is taking over your life, you’ll want to make sure you’re not letting social media consume you. How can you do this? One of the best ways to avoid FOMO when using social media is to develop self-discipline. We know, we know – the word “discipline” doesn’t exactly sound like something that’ll help you out of your social media FOMO. However, having the discipline to set boundaries when it comes to social media will help you out tremendously. Let’s discuss some ways you can set boundaries with social media. Firstly, make sure to set a “social media curfew” – this means designating a certain time of day when you will not be on social media. When setting your “curfew”, be sure to choose a time that is not too early or too late. We recommend that you do not use social media in the hours before bed because it may interfere with your sleep.
We’ve finally reached the part of this article where we discuss what you can do to overcome your fear of missing out. These are the things you can do to get rid of that nasty FOMO that has been following you around for so long. – Develop a thicker skin – If you have been struggling with FOMO for a long time and have not been able to do anything about it, it’s time to get serious. One of the best ways to overcome FOMO is to develop a thicker skin. In order to do this, you’re going to have to actively practice self-compassion and self-acceptance. – Don’t compare yourself to others – When it comes to social media, there are many who fall into the trap of comparing themselves to others. They’re always looking at what other people are doing and wishing they were doing the same thing. In order to overcome your FOMO, you’re going to have to stop comparing yourself to others. – Take care of yourself – If you want to overcome your FOMO, you’re going to have to start taking care of yourself. This means that you’re going to have to put yourself first on a regular basis. When you start putting yourself first, you’re going to notice that you have more energy and motivation to take care of yourself. This can be anything from taking a walk outside to reading a book to doing some yoga. – Connect with others – One of the best ways to overcome your FOMO is to actively connect with others. Engage in meaningful conversations with friends and family members on a regular basis. You can also try joining a club or taking an online course, as this will allow you to connect with others in a meaningful way. – Don’t try to be perfect – One of the worst things that you can do if you’re struggling with FOMO is to try to be perfect. When you try to be perfect, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Instead, try to be better than you were yesterday.
Alright, we’ve covered what you can do to overcome your FOMO and how to avoid it in the first place. We’ve also discussed a few strategies for managing FOMO. So, what can you do to actually manage FOMO? – Stay present – This is the first thing you can do to manage your FOMO. Whenever you notice that you are feeling FOMO, simply become aware of it. Next, you want to be present in the situation you’re in right now. Stop wishing you were somewhere else or doing something else. Stay present in the moment, and you’ll notice that your FOMO will go away. – Be grateful – Next, you want to be grateful for what you have. If you’re always thinking about what you don’t have, you’re going to feel FOMO more often than not. When you’re always thinking about what you don’t have, you’re missing out on the wonderful things you do have in your life. – Practice mindfulness – Finally, you want to practice mindfulness. There are many different ways you can do this. You can try meditating, reading poetry, or even going for a walk in nature. When you practice mindfulness, you will notice your feelings without trying to change them.
Now that you know what FOMO is and how to avoid it, you can get back to enjoying your life. You can also help others who are struggling with FOMO by sharing this article with them. Social media has enabled people to connect on a scale and a level of intensity that was unimaginable even a decade ago. You don’t need to be in the same room as your friend to know what they ate for breakfast or to know what their latest thoughts are on politics. But with great connection comes great responsibility. If you aren’t careful, social media can consume your life and lead to feelings of FOMO.