FOMO (fear of missing out) is totally ruining your life. It is completely and utterly destroying you, and you have no idea. We force ourselves to go out when we’re too busy, or not into it because we don’t want to miss what may be the funniest, most epic night of all time. We don’t want to be on the outside of the inside jokes that follow -- and if that night ends up being less than significant we kick ourselves! We think to ourselves, Should have just stayed in with "Gilmore Girls" and a bottle of wine. But, it also works both ways. We stop ourselves from doing something different from our friends because we’re afraid if they all experience one thing, and we do something else, they will become closer and, once again, we will feel left out.
FOMO is not only ruining your life, but it’s running it. So here are five tips to regain control of your life.
1. Before you do something or go somewhere, ask yourself: “Is this what I want to do?”
Don’t spend time and money doing something if it’s not something you truly want to participate in. Do things that enrich your life and things that you are actually happy to participate in.
2. Don’t cheat yourself of opportunities.
I know it’s cliché to say “dance to the beat of your own drum,” or “follow your heart,” but it’s honestly true. Don’t do what everyone else is doing out of fear of being different, or because you think if you go one way and your friends go another way you will lose them. You are your own person, and you have to do what makes you happy. Therefore, don’t be afraid to do your own thing and broaden your horizons. You’ll make new friends and get to experience something you wouldn’t have otherwise.
3. Don’t force it.
If you’re not into it, then don’t do it. If you force yourself to do something or go somewhere you don’t want to go, you won't have fun. Honestly, you may bring down the squad you’re with. I’m all about getting outside of your comfort zone, but don’t push yourself to do something you are a.) not interested in or b.) not comfortable with.
4. Don't let the FOMO get you down.
FOMO can bum you out. If you’re out of town for a weekend or abroad for a semester, seeing people’s Instagrams and Snapchats are bound to make you feel left out. So, if you’re the type of person (I know I am) who gets bummed out by that sort of thing, don’t check your Snapchat every day while you’re gone; life your life where you are, and focus on what you’re experiencing, not on what you’re missing out on.
5. Be your own person.
Do what you want to do. Don’t follow the masses out of fear of being left out and only participate in things that better your quality of life. Whether that’s going to Trivia at your local bar on a Tuesday night with your pals, or laying in bed on Saturday night with some guacamole and the complete series of "Veronica Mars" on DVD.
