HOW TO DEAL WITH FOMO

Fear of missing out, or FOMO for short, is something that I think the majority of us can say we’ve experienced at one point in our lives. I just recently experienced some of the worst FOMO I’ve ever had due to missing a music festival thrown by my favorite DJ at a beautiful resort in Mexico. While part of me wanted to be happy for all of the people who were able to go and experience it, a much larger part of me wanted nothing more than curl up in bed with a tub of ice cream and a bottle of wine and sulk until the festival ended.

Since social media has become such a prevalent part in all of our lives, FOMO has become a lot more prevalent as well. It’s hard to avoid it when you are constantly reminded of all of the things you’re missing out on when you see people’s posts on Facebook or photos on Instagram or stories on Snapchat, showing them having the time of their lives while you’re stuck at home. The simple solution is to just stay off of social media if there’s an event happening that you want to be at but can’t. That’s not always so easy to do though. So here are a few other ways to help distract yourself when you’re experiencing a severe case of FOMO.

1. Pick up extra shifts at work

The typical reason that you are having FOMO is that you either couldn’t afford to go to the event you wanted to go to or couldn’t get time off of work to go, at least these are usually my reasons. So if you’re going to be stuck at home anyways, you may as well try to make some extra money that way you won’t have to miss the next concert, trip, event, etc. Picking up some extra shifts at work or finding some odd jobs is not only a great way to make you some extra money, it’s also a great way to keep you distracted and off of social media. Missing that thing you really wanted to go to is a lot easier when you’ve got some extra cash in your pocket.

2. Do something fun with your friends

Just because you aren’t at whatever thing you want to be at having fun, doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun at home. Gather up your other friends who are at home too and forget about your FOMO together. Go try a new restaurant, throw a little get together, see a movie, hit up a museum...basically do whatever you can to take your mind off of whatever it is your missing out on. Doing something fun with your friends is a lot better than sulking at home by yourself.

3. Finish that task you keep putting off

Being productive is another great and satisfying way to take your mind off of the FOMO that you’re experiencing. Use this time at home to complete whatever task it is that you’ve been putting off doing, whether it be cleaning your room, organizing your pantry, mowing the lawn, etc. It will keep you distracted and finally getting that thing you’ve been procrastinating done will feel really great.

4. Get lost in a great new book or TV show

Since you’re salty about your real life situation, why not get lost in a fictional one? Hit up your local library to find a new book to read or find a new show to watch on Netflix or Hulu and let that consume you for a few days rather than letting your FOMO consume you. It may not be super productive, but at least it will help take your mind off of things.

5. Have a self-pampering day

Another nice way to keep yourself distracted is to do a whole day of self-pampering. Turn off your phone, fill up your bath tub, light a candle, and just relax. Go grab lunch at one of your favorite spots. Go get your nails done or get a massage. Do an at home face mask. Play some relaxing music. Meditate. Pamper yourself a little so that you’re too relaxed and rejuvenated to feel any FOMO.

6. Start a new DIY project

If you’re feeling crafty, starting a new DIY project can be another great and satisfying way to keep yourself distracted from the FOMO you’re feeling. Get on Pinterest and find something that grabs your attention, then go ahead and start crafting. By the time you’re done, you’ll be too proud of whatever you made to be upset about whatever event it is you’re missing.

7. Plan for your next trip/event

If none of these ideas are able to take your mind off of whatever it is that you’re having FOMO over, then one last thing you can do is to start planning for the next trip/event that you’re able to attend. Getting excited about something that you can actually go to is a lot better than getting upset about something that you can’t go to.

No matter which of these ideas you choose to go with, the most important thing is to keep yourself busy and distracted and to stay off social media. It’s a lot easier to get over your FOMO when you aren’t seeing pictures and videos of whatever it is that you’re missing out on. You can always look at these photos and videos after the event has ended and everyone who was there has come back home. But looking at everything you’re missing while it’s happening and you’re stuck at home is just torture (trust me, I’ve done it).