We've all had our experiences with FOMO (fear of missing out) and we all know how unpleasant it can be. You find yourself wondering if you're really having a good time, or if your friends are forever doing something more interesting. With social media use at an all time high, it's easier than ever to follow closely over the shoulder of anyone's life, especially when they travel. Then you're left with an extra-frightening case of FOMO. When you go abroad, what's to say that you're getting the best out of it? As someone who's spent the last month abroad and (intentionally) skipped some of the more typical tourist spots, I have some suggestions for how to avoid FOMO while traveling abroad, be it within your own group, or comparing your trip to anyone else's.
1. Make a list of "Must-Sees"
If you aren't sure what you want to see, then there's no way to guarantee that you don't miss something you'll regret later. Do a little bit of research (but don't obsess) on what there is to do wherever you're traveling. Pick at least five things and prioritize them, or more if time allows it. Be sure that you don't overload your own schedule, which brings me to my next point.
2. Budget your time efficiently
Don't give yourself only an hour-and-a-half at a museum so you can check out the next stop on your list on the same day. There's no telling what might interest you at any one stop you've planned, so don't try to get it all done in one day. If you have a long list of things to see in little time, make sure you prioritize so that you don't feel like you're rushed at any point. The idea is to enjoy yourself, not just check off the list you created.
3. Watch your attitude
Of course, any chance you get you'll want to take photos and share them, which means you'll be scrolling amongst the travels and on-goings of all the rest of your friends on social media. Don't let one girl's photo of her having a blast somewhere else you didn't plan on going get you down -- she has her priorities and you have yours! Celebrate the fact that you're both doing cool things, and don't let anything devalue the trip that you're on. Keep it positive and you'll love every second of your adventure.
4. Don't be afraid to branch out
The same way that you'll be tempted to compare your experience to everyone else's, you might feel the urge to visit some museum or really famous location, just because "it's what you do." While "when in Rome" can be a wonderful saying, it also doesn't apply to everything. If something particularly touristy or typical of the place you're visiting doesn't appeal to you, don't feel like you have to put it on your list. Or if you really do feel like you must, it's okay to prioritize it after some of your other, less popular sights to see. That said, don't let other people you're traveling with dictate your priorities either -- sometimes it's okay to leave them behind for a solo-adventure.
5. Enjoy yourself, but get some rest
The saying goes, "you can sleep when you're dead," but really, without sleep, you will die. The worst thing you can do for yourself while traveling is over-exhaust yourself. You're more likely to get sick and much less likely to enjoy the place you're in. It may feel like you're wasting precious daylight, but don't be afraid to squeeze a nap in after a particularly long night if you need it, or sleep in a few extra hours when you can. There's no point in cramming a million activities into your trip if you're going to be half-asleep through them all.
6. Travel overnight
It might sound contrary to the idea of getting enough rest, and I wouldn't recommend doing it back-to-back too often, but traveling by bus, plane, train, or car overnight can save you a lot of time if your schedule is tight. You don't want to waste valuable daylight hours trapped in transit, and it can help you save on lodging costs if you sleep while you travel. Of course, this is when the next-day nap might come in because we all know that even the best reclined bus seat isn't a bed.
7. Make plans, but remain flexible
Potentially the most important of all, be sure to remain open to change on all of your plans. Of course, there are the things at the top of your must-see list that you want to get to, but an impromptu meeting of new friends, passing by a cool shop, or a sudden need for a nap/food can always shake up your day, sometimes for the better. If you realize you aren't enjoying something as much as you thought, don't feel like you have to suffer through it just cause "it was in your plans." Leave early and grab some ice-cream! Or duck out to window shop for an hour or so. No matter what you do end up doing, you're on the trip of a lifetime, and it's up to you to make sure that you enjoy it.
