FOMO: also known as “Fear of Missing Out.” We’ve all experienced it -- it’s Thursday night and your favorite frat is hosting a party, but you know you have a 7 A.M. class the next day and a big test that you just don’t feel prepared for. Your friends all want you to come out and have a good time, but your mind is in a limbo between what would really be best for you.
College is an exciting time: friends always surround you and there are so many things to do from social activities to obligations like homework and studying. With all of this excitement, many of us neglect to take time to slow down and give ourselves a break -- we forget it isn’t necessary to go out every time there’s something happening; as students, we already have a lot on our plate.
Especially during fall and winter quarter, it is scarily easy to come down with some kind of illness -- it’s almost surprising if you don’t get sick. What’s the worst part of it? A common cold could last weeks because so many of us have jam-packed schedules, and we forget to care of ourselves. Especially with the biting feelings of FOMO, many of us would choose a night out with friends over a night in trying to recover. Let’s face it, being stuck in bed while you refresh Snapchat stories of all the fun stuff going on really sucks.
If you’re ever feeling this way, remember these three things:
- It’s OK to not go out Thursday through Saturday, and you can take a night to relax and cuddle up with some Netflix.
- It’s OK to admit that you may need a break, because at the end of the day, your health is more important then missing a party or two. If you’re sick all of the time and don’t take care of yourself, college will be miserable.
- It’s OK to tell your friends that you're not feeling it tonight—who knows, maybe someone will choose to eat popcorn and binge-watch "Gossip Girl" with you!
That being said, with everything in life balance is key. Balance helps us recognize when we need to enjoy ourselves, or when we need to take a second to breathe and slow down. Balance allows us to give our time to others, but also to give time to ourselves.
In essence, when you’re not feeling well -- whether it is sick, stressed, or you’re just having a rough day -- FOMO shouldn’t dictate your decisions. If going to that frat party will lift your spirits and allow you to relax, then you should go! But if you need a night spent soaking in a bubble bath and watching Blair and Chuck’s epic love story, that’s perfectly fine too.
A lot of us simply don’t remember to take care of ourselves with the busy lives we lead. We may forget to nourish our bodies with good food and exercise, to give ourselves time to de-stress after a hard test, or to allow ourselves to rest and get better when we aren’t feeling well. At the end of the day, realize that your health and well-being are much more valuable than missing out on a party or two.
