FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) is a raging epidemic that knows no bounds. It's affecting parents, siblings, aunts, uncle, cousins, friends, and maybe even our pets (I know my dogs get FOMO every time I leave the house without them).
It is time for us to take a stand, or, in my case because I can't stand, institute some change! I don't know about you, but I'm more affected by people with FOMO than FOMO directly affecting me. I am fortunate enough to not suffer from FOMO. However, I do know many people who (un-admittedly) suffer from FOMO, and I have had enough.
I have had countless experiences where fairly large gatherings were being organized, and it was important that everyone, or at least the majority, could be there. Most of the time, not everyone is able to make it, and those who aren't able to make it just say "I can't come, but I hope you guys have a good time!" but, there are always those two to three people who say, "I can't come! We need to do it a different day!" And as much as the whole group loves and cares about those minorities, we usually say, "No offense, but there will be plenty of more gatherings that you'll be able to make it to." These people who cannot stand to be left out though, and protest and negotiate until the point that everyone just says, "F*ck it, let's just make plans for a different night."
I'm sorry, but that sh*t really pisses me off. Why should everyone else's plans be ruined just because you can't stand to not be there for one gathering? In my opinion, if the majority can make it, then the plans should go on as planned. It's really not that big of a deal, and as much as you think you'll be missing out, chances are that what you see and hear about that gathering will probably be blown out of proportion—because social media gives us the ability to make even the most boring of times look like New Year's Eve in Times Square. Don't believe everything you see on social media, and don't let what you hear bother you, because it was probably not as great as you think it was—so you shouldn't let it bother you.
As someone who has had to miss out on a lot of things simply because the location isn't wheelchair accessible, which is a big part as to why people with FOMO really get under my skin, I've learned that missing out isn't a big deal, and you can just make other plans that are equally as fun—maybe even more fun! Sometimes you can't go to certain events or places, and that's fine! Life goes on, and it won't be drastically changed by going or not going to some sort of gathering--it probably won't be changed at all, really.
To all the FOMO sufferers out there, let's re-cap and go over a few things: I know to some extent you can't help feeling the way you feel, but that doesn't mean you should ruin the plans for the majority and alter them to fit your life and schedule, as opposed to just taking one for the team and skipping on this one gathering (two to three max). You also shouldn't be upset when you aren't invited to something. Your FOMO is completely psychological, and you have the power to say "not today, FOMO, not today!" Missing out on something isn't the end of the world, and it's not going to negatively change or impact your life. Keep in mind that there are plans constantly being made without you that you don't even know about—therefore you should take the same mindset when you are included in the plans, but can't make it—don't think about it! Because you wouldn't be thinking about it if you were included in the first place. Remember that what you see and hear probably is far off from the events that actually happened at the gathering, and also take into mind that you can make other plans with other people, and, there will always be more opportunities to get together with all the people you didn't get to see in the first place.
There are so many people in the world who don't have a choice when it comes to missing out and would do anything to be in your position, only having to miss out on one or two things, instead of countless other things—so think about how fortunate you are to have unlimited access to anywhere and anything.
You may not realize it, so here is your rude awakening: your FOMO is selfish and you need to learn to cope and deal with it. You're not going to be able to go to every single thing you're invited to in your life, and everything you're not invited to for that matter. Instead of torturing yourself, and others, take advantage of what you are missing out on and do something valuable with your time! You'd be amazed at all of the things you can accomplish during a bout of FOMO.
Stop being selfish, and stop torturing yourself and others over this dumb fear created by the illusion of social media and exaggerated word of mouth! While your FOMO is unfair to other people, it's mostly unfair to yourself, and you should love and respect yourself more than that.
