Oh....I have it, I have it bad.
FOMO. The fear of missing out. It must almost be comical to watch me with all my worked up FOMO. It can sure work me up in a tailspin.
Just yesterday I received an email from a friend about a condo available for free in Orlando this week only -- did anyone want it?
Ironicly, I am going to Orlando a week from Friday to go to Epcot center -- so the FOMO kicks in and I start rearranging my week, figuring out how to pack, when I can go, how to get in touch with the person, how do I move Epcot up to this week, can I rearrange my schedule -- all of this around the fear of not wanting to miss out.
Free condos aren't the only areas. My FOMO spreads far and wide to all topics such as sales, meeting people, bike rides, speaking, conducting workshops, teaching, sunshine, beautiful views, traveling, 1/2 price airline tickets, BOGOs, chicken wings and groupons. The list can go on and on.
FOMO messes up my mojo because I get all reactive. Sometimes I am not even sure that the "opportunity" is that great of an "opportunity" but I can pour a lot of energy in to it. FOMO can also create a lot of "what ifs...."I wonder..."
FOMO can go the other way and create a pitiful case of stagnation. Me with a restruant menu says it all. It all looks so good. A lot of the food I rarely eat. Hence my FOMO kicks in as I waffle between multiple items and having the hardest time making a decision all from not wanting to miss out.
After yesterday's reaction -- which by the way, I passed on -- I realized that I am not missing out on anything. I am being present in my life right where I am.
How can I worry about missing out on a bike ride if I am on a wonderful power walk? How can I worry about missing out on Dillard's semi-annual sale if I don't really need anything? How can I worry about missing out on meeting people - if I don't look around and see who is already there.
Don't let your fear of missing out -- actually cause you to miss out on your life exactly where you are.
Is there anyone who doesn't struggle with not wanting to miss out on something potentially good? I guess if the something could enrich your life it's worth being concerned about.
Posted by: karen@fitnessjourney | December 21, 2011 at 01:38 PM
Hi Karen -- yes, I think there are some things to really weigh out the pros and cons! Cicken wings verses nachos, well maybe not so much!
Posted by: jenn Barley | December 21, 2011 at 01:47 PM
I used to know this saying that goes something like this. It is smart to glance into your rear view mirror when passing a car however, if we look too long we are sure to crash into something that is right there in front of us. If I can stay focused on the belief that the only time that really exists is in this moment, then how could I miss anything of any real importance because it is happening right now and I am in it.....
Posted by: karen | December 22, 2011 at 11:38 AM
I can so relate to this. Thanks for making me feel like I am not alone. Rationally,I can usually realize that I am being a little silly when I eel this way, but it is still nagging me! Thanks for a great post.
Posted by: Newsofthetimes | June 11, 2012 at 11:43 AM