For the longest time, I didn’t know what FOMO meant.
By the time I found out, it didn’t really matter, because I had already spent a good part of my ‘adulthood’ not even realizing that you fear something like this as well. So the abbreviation itself came by as a surprise.
Oh, I happened to assume that you know what FOMO means, but you could be me from a couple of years ago, who didn’t know what FOMO meant. So this for those just like me.
FOMO – Fear of Missing Out.
Was FOMO always there? Just as there were kindness and empathy.
Yes and No.
Morgan Housel makes a very interesting point in his book – ‘The Psychology of Money’. He says that in the past the social status was more or less similar as the choices were limited. You knew that you could aspire to be in the same social class sooner or later.
But now, the gap has widened immensely as the choices you have in every area of your life have also expanded. And it goes something like this.
Choice A: High Class
[Premium, Extraordinary, Ordinary, Average, Normal]
Choice B: Middle Class
[Premium, Extraordinary, Ordinary, Average, Normal]
Choice C: Beginning Class
[Premium, Extraordinary, Ordinary, Average, Normal]
Though we can see a tinge of FOMO in the past, it is only now that this feeling has perpetuated a lot more. As the social divide and the choices we have of owning things and doing things have exploded. This has not only spoilt us with choices but has also increased the FOMO in us exponentially.
So how is FOMO killing us?
- Unrealistic Aspirations: As the social divide has clearly expanded, it is only a matter of common sense to assume that you will always be in the shadow of missing out on something or the other. And this typically starts with material things and ends with immaterial and intangible things.
- Ego: In most cases, FOMO is a result of you wanting to compete with your EGO. And let me just put it out there and say that your EGo will never let you win, ever. The minute your finish chasing one thing, your EGO will present you with the next thing. The FOMO cycle is unfortunately never-ending.
- Living in the Future: FOMO is common when you start living your future in the present. You are constantly under the pressure to be there, buy that and do that. And that is a man-made burden that can be avoided.
Take Charge, gain control, and don’t let FOMO out of all things kill you, as you can after all never be in all the places, do all you want, and have it all.
There will always something that you will miss out on. Perhaps, this must be the underlying assumption so that you don’t waste any further time missing out on experiencing what you currently have now.
————
Thank you for reading this far.
Download my Free Ebook ‘Not So Obvious Self Care Tips’by clicking here .
Please be sure to follow my blog by entering your email id down below to receive my latest posts directly in your inbox.
Also do share your thoughts, comments and questions here or DM me on twitter @SiriAvalur.
sirismusings.wordpress.com 