Dealing with FOMO: The Fear of Missing Out

We've all been there. It's Friday night, and all your friends are going out or doing something fun while you're stuck at home writing an essay that you procrastinated on. You resist the urge to check your phone and look up Instagram, but you can't resist and become struck with a case of FOMO- the fear of missing out. In the age of social media, FOMO is a real thing, and it affects all of us. No one has the time to be out and about all the time, and looking at all the fun people are having without you sucks. Here's how I prevent it from getting me down in the dumps. Rationing my use of social media Being on my phone all day everyday isn't the best, as social media definitely causes me to compare myself with other people's perfect, edited lives. Constantly checking my phone and endlessly scrolling through people's stories is not only distracting but will only make your FOMO worse. I tend to put my phone on Do Not Disturb and leave it be for a few hours. Being realistic Sure, it seems like that friend's story was absolutely perfect, down to the timing of the Instagram boomerang. But, was it really? I always think back to a time when I'm out at a party or a loud restaurant. The pictures look great, but maybe I'm feeling too hot and sweaty or the food isn't the best. Realizing that not all things are what they seem online is important to curb envy. I also realized that staying in has its perks too, and spending time alone often does wonders for my mental health. Finding balance Sometimes saying no is easy to do, and I miss out on opportunities that may have been worthwhile to go to. It’s totally fine to like to stay in and spend time by yourself. But always choosing the more comfortable option can make the fear of missing out become just...actually missing out. Pushing myself to do new things is also part of the university experience, and you never know, it could be fun! Hopefully these tips can help cure you of the crippling FOMO, and help you feel more at ease with using social media when you're staying in. -Joanna