8 Tips for Coping with FOMO – The Fear of Missing Out

In this article, I’m going to discuss a problem that is continuing to get worse in our society.  It’s called FOMO.  I’m sure you have heard about it.  You probably know precisely what it is and what it feels like.  Don’t we all? In this article, I’m going to define FOMO, help you understand why you might feel this way, and then give you some practical strategies that you can use to combat this social phenomenon.  After reading this article, you’ll be better armed in the fight against FOMO.  Read below to start that fight. 

Why are you afraid of missing out?

You have probably been there before. You are scrolling through social media. And then you see your friends went to a gathering or a party.  A party that you did not get invited to. In fact, excluded.  Or perhaps you come across pictures of a concert or a walk or an event that looks amazing, but that you did not attend.

That can often trigger a very particular anxiety known as FOMO – the fear of missing out.  It’s the same feeling we got in lower school when everyone in your grade was going to some party but you were not invited to it.  Or finding out that a group of your friends went out to dinner.  And it was without you.  How dare they.  Right?

Defining FOMO – Fear of Missing Out Meaning

Fear of missing out (FOMO) is a social anxiety that is associated with the sense of rejection and not doing enough. It is thinking that everyone else in their lives are having way more fun, living better lives, and or experiencing things that are way better than you are. 

We can talk about FOMO in situations where you feel rejected by not being included in something. This can make you feel lonely or slighted. We can also talk about FOMO when there is a pressure to do as much as you can. You feel like you must do everything. You must take part in different events to keep up with what you perceive others are doing.

For example, you feel like you must go to a specific spot or do a specific experience. If you don’t, you think you are missing out on something special, important, or even life changing.

Why do we get FOMO?

At our core, we are deeply social creatures.  That is reflected in two ways. First, you want to fit in with others. Acceptance and belonging are two important core needs. When you see your friends doing stuff without you, it triggers the fear that they are excluding you. It could trigger you and make you feel like you are not accepted or that you do not belong.  It can hurt and be painful.   

The second reason is that you likely use comparisons as a way of seeing how well you are doing in life. We all do it. When you see others achieve or experience a thing you have not done, it can feel like you are falling behind. It can unleash a sense of anxiety – what if you are not doing well enough? What if others will notice or judge you for it?

FOMO is a social anxiety that has been amplified in the 21^st century by social media. You get to see the best moments of other people’s lives. And you feel like you must compare yourself to all of them. It can make you more aware of the things that everyone is doing when you are not there. It can also maximize the sense of not doing enough or feeling isolated because other people do more things than you seem to do.

What’s even worse about that, is that a lot of times when we are depressed, we are prone to scroll through our social media feeds.  We are yearning for connection, but it can do the exact opposite of that when you are trying to get that core need met. 

Why FOMO is a Problem?

FOMO can leave you feeling lonely and rejected in situations when it is not actually happening. It can contribute to anxiety and negative ideas about yourself. It can also lead to depression.  It can make you compare who you are to others.  It can make you devalue your own accomplishments.

FOMO can also be weaponized against you. Many companies and influencers use FOMO to sell their events and products that are not necessarily good or useful for you. Why? Because it works.

8 Tips to Deal with FOMO

Everyone feels FOMO from time to time. Or rather, I should say mostly everyone. But if it becomes a problem, you can take a few simple steps to reduce the impact it has on your emotions and decision-making.

1. Stay away from conclusions

Your mind is usually eager to jump to a conclusion. It is usually a negative conclusion. But this is an impulse that is not always reflective of reality. Try to avoid this. You only have a limited amount of information and not enough to make a judgment. First, before jumping to conclusion, get the other perspectives.  And then, remember that you might be thinking too negatively.  Did they intentionally decide to ignore you? Chances are that the facts you used to build your conclusion are irrational and not really facts. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be utilized to help combat jumping to conclusions.

Logical fallacy is when we build a case on something with what we perceive to be facts.  Since A is true, it makes B, C, D, and E true.  Right?  But wait a minute.  If A isn’t true, it can make B, C, D, and E false. Here is an example of logical fallacy relating to jumping to conclusions:

Because they intentionally excluded me, it means that they don’t like me.  Since they don’t like me, that must mean that they don’t think that I’m fun.  Since they don’t think I’m fun, they don’t like hanging out with me. 

Whoever said A was true? After all, how do you know they intentionally excluded you? Is it possible they just so happened to run into each other at a kid’s sporting event and then went to grab lunch afterwards?

Your thoughts can run away with themselves.  They can become a very slippery slope.  Combat logical fallacy and try not to jump to conclusions. 

2. Connect with someone

Since FOMO is a social feeling, you can relieve the anxiety with social connection. Don’t reach out to vent or complain.  Rather, reach out to talk to someone. It reassures you that you have other people who care about you and are there for you. Even a little exchange of greetings is likely to make you feel better. 

You might be sad that someone hasn’t connected with you, but what initiative are you taking to make that connection happen? Friendship is a two-way street. You cannot expect the other person to constantly make all the first moves. Put the ball in your court and focus on what you can control. 

3. Do something pleasant

Just because you are not at the concert, or a party, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Schedule a fun activity for yourself. Or one with a friend. It’s a good idea to make it a social thing.  But if not, find time to do an activity you truly enjoy.

Distract yourself from the negative emotions.  Focus on the positives.  You can also think of some fun things that you did recently.  Instead of focusing on what you are not doing, focus on what you are doing and what you have done. 

4. Communicate what you want to others

If you want to get invited to things, you can express an interest to that person. Tell them you would like to join the next time. You might not always get an invite. But at least it will give you clarity. Often, you will get an invitation.

Too many times, we do not express what we want.  You must communicate your needs. Others might assume that we would not want to take part. This can also happen if you turn down invitations or appear unfriendly. Communicate your feelings openly without attacking the person for excluding you.

5. Make your own plans

You don’t have to wait around. You can also do your own things.  Put the ball in your court and take the initiative. It might take a bit more work, but it can be very rewarding. It will allow you to feel more in control over your life and make new connections. Organize your own parties and get-togethers to ensure you get the experience you truly want.

6. Take stock of your relationships

 If you feel left out time and again, it might be a good idea to evaluate your relationships. Ask yourself if the people around you respect and value you. Do you feel included and welcome most of the time? If you are not, you might want to look for new connections or communicate to your friends how you feel. Don’t like their answer? If so, you might want to re-evaluate and take stock of your relationships.   

7. Set your priorities

Ask yourself if you truly want an experience or whether you are just feeling peer pressure. Are you eager to go to that party or take that trip? Look at the priorities in your life. Perhaps you are focused on your career right now or saving for an important purchase. Allowing yourself to do what matters to you can help you feel less FOMO. Focus on your priorities and accept that you cannot do everything and be everywhere. 

8. Attend therapy with a counselor

Attending therapy with a counselor can be beneficial, especially when it comes to your perceptions and learning how to manage your emotions more effectively.  Therapy has many benefits.  Meeting with a therapist can help you improve symptoms of anxiety, depression, FOMO, and so many more.  You can learn more about the services we provide and schedule your appointment to get started today. 

One Bonus Tip – Get Outside of Yourself

I’ve got one last tip for you. And that tip is to get outside of yourself.  Instead of thinking about why people aren’t inviting you, think instead about how you can help to include others. See someone that is new to a big group? Invite them over and make them feel welcome.  After all, we don’t like it when we are the newest to the group and feel intimidated.  Make that process easier for someone else. By doing so, it’ll help you think less about your own FOMO and more about how you can help other people.  Be the change that you want to see in the world.  We will all be better for it.

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