FOMO! As if we already did not have enough issues, fears and challenges, that new interesting fears have evolved in modern era….the gifts of digital world.
The most common and all pervasive one, which is going on for quite some time is FOMO – “Fear of Missing Out.”
I believe you already know what it is. If you don’t just in case; let me explain, its that niggling feeling in your body that leads your fingers (almost involuntarily) to click on your facebook, what’s app, or twitter accounts to see what’s going on in other’s lives.
If you have missed on any likes, comments or posts by your friends (or celebrities) and the world might just come to an end if you missed that.
And the most interesting part is – you have no idea whatsoever that it is happening to you.
How do I know it? That’s exactly how I experienced it (shhhhh…… 🙂 You wanna keep it secret too, sure!)
Be happy. Ignorance is bliss.
But the truth is, everyone around you but yourself will know if you are going through this. And of course it does come and go.
So here are 5 signs to know for sure that you have been bitten by the FOMO bug (my personal experience).
1.You check social media again and again
Without any obvious reasons of course; JUST LIKE THAT!
While you have so many other important things to do with your time, but in that moment of free time, you have no clarity or specific plan for the productive work you want to do with your time.
And you completely deny it. You strongly justify it. You are so sure that you just do it to connect with your friends, with complete discipline OR for professional reasons, in a very professional manner.
That’s why illusions are called illusions, innit?
2. You feel like you missed out 😔
When you see the super smiling selfies of everyone having a super time at that mega event, fair or Bash (whatever bash it is!). Or you wonder when are you gonna visit that dream holiday destination when almost every friend of yours is flaunting pictures with that tree or monument.
Even if you feel you are pretty sure that you’re doing great, you sigh when you see people doing exactly the same things that you wanna do. Even if you hate comparing yourself with others, you end up doing this and feeling bad.
3.You begin and end your day with social media updates
You check your social media just before you go to bed and first thing in the morning when you wake up, sometimes even during your tea breaks and meals too.
How can you miss any happening updates there 😉
Phone is your constant partner and make sure to go everywhere with you. Whether its coffee room, meetings, kitchen, lounge, TV room or your toilet (most common place actually).
4. It’s your constant companion
Social media entertains and keeps you busy most of the times, without you even knowing it.
Your family starts complaining about this. When your children or partner start teasing you that you are always on phone or you never listen.
And you defend innocently that you’re listening (your eyes still glued to the phone).
Most of the times it’s the people around you who can recognise this first as they feel your absence from their world. Because you are lost in the virtual world, they start missing you, but later become used to you not being present.
5. You’re checking for Likes and Comments
Yup! Likes and comments on your post make you feel good (after all, there’s a surge in your dopamine levels, so that’s bound to happen.).
You know very well (in your heart) that they really don’t matter but you keep an eye on the number of likes you got on your picture. And you smile as the number goes up (on your pic, not on your friend’s pic 😉 ).
By the way you’re not doing any of this consciously. Most of the times, you are not even aware of it.
But now after reading it, you can choose to introspect, check within or just deny it.
YOUR CHOICE.
How to get rid of FOMO and bring more presence and real joy in your life, writing soon in the next blog.
Stay tuned.
Much love.