What is Fear of Missing Out? - Illusion or Reality?

Fear of missing out, or FOMO, is a feeling of social exclusion or anxiety that can lead people to abandon what they're doing to join something else. It is the belief that other people are enjoying life more than you are. 

What is Fear of Missing Out,  Fear of Missing Out
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It is a genuine and widespread phobia that can leave us feeling incredibly guilty about something that didn't happen. FOMO may damage our egos, make us feel excluded, and even make us root for others to fail. It is linked to neuroticism, youth, and loneliness.

Psychology of FOMO

FOMO can either motivate people to take chances or serve as a distraction from their work. The pain of missing out is felt more keenly than the joy of being present, which is why loss aversion and FOMO are closely associated. Making decisions is often influenced by the possibility of regret. In contemporary settings, FOMO can be detrimental and result in bad choices.

The concept of personal resource allocation can be used to analyse FOMO. Every human action needs a certain number of resources to be completed, so I don't think that will annoy you too much.

It doesn't matter what you use as long as you put resources into getting anything you want, whether it be time, money, emotions, or various goods and items. And most of the time, when you start to experience FOMO and daydream about missed chances, you don't think about the resources you would need to invest in the activity. You have the impression that everyone else, including you, received something for nothing. 

However, in reality, everyone had to part with a portion of their meagre resources to obtain the item for which they had paid so little.

Similarly to the estimates of the resources needed to make a missed opportunity a reality, there is a concept known as "opportunity costs" that refers to the inability to fully comprehend the benefits of forgoing an opportunity and engaging in something else. Whenever we come across a situation that can result in FOMO, it appears that our brain tries to suppress all logical thought.

The "fear" of losing out is so pervasive in our society today. What a first-world issue, really. I've met individuals in underdeveloped nations in addition to looking for non-GMO, gluten-free cuisine and attempting to stay current with the newest iPhone. They deal with situations that can be seen as extreme, so they don't worry about losing out. I believe that by focusing more on pleasure than on purpose, we have gotten weaker. Fear of missing out is only a symptom of a weak society that depends on acceptance from others.

How social media is accountable

Social media makes users compare their lives to others' and feel less capable and connected, which contributes to FOMO. Social media causes FOMO by giving us immediate access to our friends' activities, which promotes comparison and insecurity.

Additionally, we must be aware of the effects that social media has on our mental health. We can get a healthier perspective and loosen the grip of FOMO by taking pause from the digital world and participating in real-world encounters.

Ways to Deal With FOMO

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You ALWAYS feel like you are missing out on something, or FOMO. There are an unlimited number of other things you may be doing while only being able to accomplish one thing at a time. Making the most of the present moment is how I deal with FOMO because when you disregard the here and now, you also miss out on the thing you ARE doing! Whatever you are, you're fantastic. Your moment will come if you believe that you are not valued enough. Keep in mind that every emotion you are experiencing will pass. The bad is just as significant as the good. Considering that today is the ideal day,

If you suffer from FOMO, ask yourself: Will I still care about this in a week? Do I really want to participate in whatever it is? Why, if so? In what ways will this improve my life? If so, in what way? Is it actually that crucial? If that's the case, why haven't you considered it before? I discovered that having multiple hobbies causes FOMO. It is advantageous. You become a more intriguing person as a result. But be aware of the distinction between what you are interested in and what fascinates you. Most likely, you already engage in your preferred activities.

FOMO can cause procrastination, feelings of overwhelm, and rash actions. Making rapid judgements, being honest with yourself and others, being conscious of the sensation, and changing your perspective to align with your objectives are all significant ways to deal with FOMO.

Written by - Sneha Rani

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