How to Deal with Summer FOMO
With summer around, the excitement of warm weather, longer days and vibrant activities is in the air. However, for many summer also brings a sense of unease - the dreaded feeling that everyone is doing amazing things, while you ‘re missing out. This phenomenon, known as FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), is nowadays more present than ever, especially in the age of social media.
While FOMO can strike at any time of the year, it often intensifies during the summer months. The posts on your feed showcasing your friends’ vacations, adventures and fun outings can leave you feeling like you’re not making the most out of the season. But there are ways to tackle FOMO. In this article we will briefly explore the underlying causes of FOMO and then outline fob strategies to help you deal with it.
understanding FOMO
FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is defined as “a pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent”. In simpler terms, it’s the feeling you get when you see someone else doing something exciting and start to worry that your own experiences are not as memorable or valuable.
This feeling of inadequacy is something that most of us will experience at some point in our lives. But why do we experience FOMO in the first place? There could me several factors that contribute to FOMO, including:
Loss aversion: people tend to be more affected by losses than by equivalent gains. Missing out on something can create stronger negative emotions than the positive feelings that come from not missing out.
Regret: FOMO is often linked with feelings of regret, particularly when we are young and constantly reminded that we should be living life to the fullest. The fear of missing out on a future event can trigger FOMO even before the event occurs.
Too many choices: in today’s world, we have access to so many things to chose from. Science actually shows that too many possibilities make it harder for people to make decisions. Therefore, regardless of what we do, we could always experience FOMO.
Low life satisfaction: people that are unsatisfied with their life, will be more likely to look at what other people are doing and experience FOMO as a result.
Social media: before social media FOMO was less prevalent because we weren’t constantly exposed to what others were doing. Now we are bombarded with images of others living their best lives, making it easier to feel left out.
5 ways to deal with FOMO
Now that we have identified some of the causes of FOMO, let’s discuss five practical strategies top help you combat it this summer.
1. Be selective with your social media consumption
One of the most effective ways to manage FOMO is to be mindful of the content you consume online. People only showcase the highlight of their day on social media - therefore comparing yourself to what you see online means comparing your average day to other people’s best dat. To counteract this, consider doing a “massive unfollow” - stop following accounts tat make you feel inadequate or bad about yourself. Instead, curate your feed to include content that uplifts and inspires you.
2. Practice Gratitude
Gratitude allows you to focus on the positive aspects of your life, and to shift your attention away from what you might be missing. To, practice gratitude you could try keeping a journal where you write down things you are grateful for each day. This could include anything from a positive interaction with a colleague to a beautiful sunset. If writing down seems like too much for you, you could also just say what you are grateful for out loud to yourself or important people in your life. Over time, practicing gratitude can improve your overall wellbeing and help you appreciate the present moment.
3. Create a Summer Bucket List
If you’re feeling like your summer lacks excitement, take matters into your own hands by creating a summer bucket list. You could look on Pinterest, which often offers seasonal bucket lists that are fun and affordable. These can include a pool day with friends, trying out a new restaurant, or enjoying a picnic in the park. You can also use your summer to learn something new, like playing an instrument or teach yourself a new language.
4. Plan for Next Summer
If this summer isn’t going as planned, use it as an opportunity to start planning for next year. Instead of focusing on what you can’t do now, think about what you can do in the future. For example, if you would like to go on an exotic vacation next year, start researching destinations and think about budgeting and saving now. By taking proactive steps, you’ll be setting yourself up for a more fulfilling summer next year.
5. Connect with others in similar situations
Just as we talked about getting rid of what does not serve you, his point is all about connecting with who uplifts you. It is important to remember that you are not alone in experiencing FOMO. Reach out to friends or acquaintances who might be in your same situation and organise activities together. You can also join online communities or groups where you can connect with others who share your same feelings. By building a sense of community, you’ll find that your situation isn’t as unique as it may seem, and you’ll feel less isolated.
conclusion
With these five strategies, you can manage FOMO effectively and enjoy a fulfilling summer without worrying about the things that you don’t get to do. Remember: summer is about making the most of your experiences, not comparing yourself to others.