PAUSE – 18.08 – FOMO or JOMO? Flip It!
Reflection: Many of the things that we might consider problematic about our selves or our lives also have an upside. Indecisive? Well the upside could be that you are also flexible and open to possibilities. Obsessed by details? The upside could be that you are organized and accurate. To claim the upside, we simply need to flip our point of view.
The same thing is true with one of the most common stressors of today’s modern life: FOMO – Fear of Missing Out. FOMO can keep us tethered to social media, with fears fanned by postings on Facebook or Instagram. We see an endless procession of cool experiences and special events. We see deals on this and deals on that. And all of a sudden we find ourselves feeling ‘less than’ or shortchanged – like we’re missing out on the latest and greatest.
My FOMO hook is travel. I see others enjoying vacations and adventures in exciting places around the world. And despite the fact that we do a LOT of traveling ourselves, and that I’m happy for the good times of others, it’s easy for me to work up a case of adventure envy. We should go there! We should try that! How did we spend all that time in Paris and not see this?
Well, it’s possible to flip FOMO as well. Turn it into JOMO – the Joy of Missing Out – the relief that comes when you’re not comparing your life to the lives of others. You’re not feeling compelled to be anywhere else. You are simply present to the joy of life as it is today.
I experienced some JOMO earlier today. My morning walk took me along the South Saskatchewan River. The sun shone and the air was fresh. A lone pelican floated down the river while the sun sprinkled diamonds on the water. I came home to a fresh cup of coffee and strolled through to see what’s new in our garden.
On a day like this, there’s no place in the world that I’d rather be. Sure, there is a great big world out there, and other people may be doing amazing things in amazing places. AND, I find myself content with where I am and what I have at the moment – luxuriating in my own Joy Of Missing Out by engaging in the joy of being here.
Action: If FOMO is a negative influence in your world, consider that life doesn’t always have to be about more and more – on to the next. Sometimes life’s greatest pleasure is simply being in this moment in this place – wherever you happen to be.
And if you feel compelled to reflect on anything, turn your mind to harvesting, sifting and sorting what you’ve already experienced. Let those memories and lessons from past adventures continue to enrich your life – instead of yearning for more of the alleged latest and greatest.
Quotes Of The Week: At every moment of our life we have an opportunity to choose joy. – Henri J.M. Nouwen
It’s not experience that brings wisdom, it’s our reflecting on our experience. – Jane Fonda
I increasingly feel the need as I travel to take the time to synthesize and internalize my experiences, in order to feel that I am gaining maximum benefit from them. – Corinne Anderton
To lead an abundant, joyful life in this noisy world, I need to regularly rein myself in and keep life simple. – Krista O’Reilly-Davi-Digui
Resources Of The Week: Read ‘JOMO Is the new FOMO – And It’s Perfect For Preventing Burnout’ by Meredith Lepore.
You’ll also find some interesting ideas in Krista O’Reilly-Davi-Digui’s thoughts on: Keep Life Simple In A Noisy World.
Readers Write: In response to last month’s message, The Helpful Art Of Pitching In, Pause reader DC writes: I love the message in this column. Absolutely dead on!!! I have been on both the receiving and the giving end of such kindness and it is a wonderful gift both ways.
And reader MO writes: It is those times that we give of our selves and our time that mean the most. Cards, phone calls, and words of encouragement – “call me if you need anything” – sound good; but it is the doing when not asked, that is most appreciated.
News: I just booked several conference and workshop presentations for the fall – on the topics of Tapping Passion, Boosting Energy, and Fueling Enthusiasm. If your organization or workplace is in need of a tune up on any of those fronts, do keep my services in mind.
I’m also delighted to let you know that I’m stepping out in my sideline career as an artist. I will be delivering two workshops (Splash & Squiggle – Ink & Watercolour) next week at Black Spruce Gallery in Saskatchewan’s Lake country. Here’s the link to the details. There are still a few spots open.
Also, if you might be interested in participating in or hosting this kind of event in the future, drop me a line and let me know.
Tags: attitude, focus, FOMO, JOMO, Pat Katz, Patricia Katz, pause, perspective, Saskatoon, speaker, stress
Thank you for this message today. My inbox overflowed with sales and deals today, and for a moment I thought…”I am too busy to save money.” That sounded silly to me, too. Then your piece came through, and I knew I was feeling pressure to be somewhere I didn’t need to be. So, I am happily continuing with the project I need to finish, knowing there will always be another sale.
Congratulations on teaching a workshop at the Black Spruce Gallery.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Maureen. I sometimes find that summers in Saskatoon create that anxious FOMO tension for me. So many festivals and special activities that it would be lovely to support, but sometimes all I want to do is enjoy an evening in the backyard. Good luck with your project. And thanks for the good wishes on the workshop.