I felt a sense of calm and peace two weeks into the lockdown. I was a bit surprised by that given the uncertainty and the fear for the safety of loved ones etc. I thought I would struggle in isolation since I enjoy being outside with friends and hardly stay in. I could not fully explain the source of this tranquillity but decided to embrace and enjoy it while it lasts. Today during an extended call with a friend, I realised that maybe this is due to a reduced level of FOMO.
I came across the notion of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) in recent years. It is described as “a pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent”. When I first came across it, I felt a light bulb moment!!! It finally put a name to a feeling I used to have without being able to define it or put my fingers on it.
On reflection, FOMO contributed to my inability to focus and to the fact that I was easily distracted. I often had a feeling that I am not necessarily using my time in the best possible way, or doing the most entertaining activity, or going to the best events, etc. Living in a great city like London or New York, makes FOMO more likely to happen since so many things are happening at the same time. There are thousands of restaurants and bars to go to, hundreds of cultural and arts events every year, countless offers and promotions expiring the next day etc. Prices keep creeping up, so if you want to travel by train or plane, you should really book way in advance. Friends buy tickets to events a year in advance and sometimes earlier. Tickets sell out in matters of minutes. You need to be prepared, you need to have done your research, you need to have organised your calendar with your friends. Otherwise, you feel like you are missing out… or in best case scenario getting what you want for extra prices! stressful!
FOMO is definitely exacerbated by social medial. All you need to do is a quick look at Instagram or Facebook to see people (those you know or complete strangers) doing more exciting stuff, visiting exotic destinations, and eating yummier food. Most people, no matter how centred they are, would compare their experiences to those of others. This might trigger a feeling of frustration, missing out, or even a sense of inferiority.
Most of the world today is in lockdown. No one is travelling, and all events are taking place online. the lucky ones among us have a home to stay during lockdown.There are less thing to miss out on, and many things to be grateful for. This is a time to go back to basics; a time of reflection on questions like : what am I truly missing? what are my values? what do I really enjoy doing? how do I like to spend my time and with whom? what events are meaningful to me? etc.
When the lockdown is over, I want to be resilient to FOMO. I hope to emerge more focused, grounded and centred.
For the Journey ... 