FOMO, an acronym for “Fear of Missing Out” has become a popular internet term in the last few years.The term FOMO was originally popularized by entrepreneur Caterina Fake. FOMO is a modern-day form of “keeping up with the Joneses.” Where people were once trying to keep up with a handful of neighbors, they’re now trying to keep up with hundreds, even thousands of social media friends and followers.

The Origin Of FOMO

JOMO, or “Joy of Missing Out” is a counter-term created by entrepreneur Anil Dash. While people with FOMO may second-guess their choices and wonder if they could be having more fun elsewhere, people with JOMO embrace the choices they have made and find joy in the present situation.Rather than worrying about what we may or may not be missing out on, try making the choice that is best for us and owning that decision. Find happiness in what we’re doing, and remind ourselves why we made the choice in the first place.

Embrace The Jomo

Be joyful. Be simple. Be together. Be real. Be messy. Make life personal. Remove the arms-length distractions of technology. Choose real connections rather than shallow distractions.

Important: More JOMO, Less FOMO

FOMO describes that gnawing feeling we get when we think something more exciting or fulfilling is going on somewhere else, without us. It can range from a twinge of disappointment, to feelings of acute loneliness and low self-esteem. FOMO can also strike when we have too many options. We might choose to go on an amazing date, but we'll still sneak a look at our phone to see what we're missing with our mates. And that's the real killer: FOMO stops us from ever being truly present in the moment.

Festive FOMO Threats

1. Use our sense. Focusing on our senses, like the sound of the ocean lapping up on the shore, the smell of the coconut sunblock, and the feel of the sun warming our body. This is a meditation 101 kind of thinking. So, maybe we’re not on the beach somewhere, but we can still notice the subtle, pleasant things around us, maybe it’s the way raindrops are sliding down a window.2. Stop multi-tasking. When we’re showering, only focus on the experience of showering. Just wash the dishes; be present without phone calls, music, or podcasts to distract us.

Part 1: Habits To Increase JOMO

3. Inhale…exhale. Take 4 deep breathes and focus on the breath. If we are truly focused on our breath, there is nowhere else for our mind to go.4. Practice gratitude. Taking time to note all things one can be thankful for helps us focus on what ‘is’ rather than what ‘could be’.5. Give ourselves three mindful minutes every day. That’s all it takes. Using an app like the Calm app or Headspace can be a great way to practice a guided meditation.6. Go for a walk.

Part 2: Habits To Increase JOMO

7. Smell our food: This goes back to the point about our senses and is a practical way to make it a habit. Engage in more than just taste when we eat a meal.8. Look into someone’s eyes. Even when we’re having conversations, we rarely look one another in the eyes. Slow down and really sink into eye contact with someone. See how it slows down the rapidity of life.9. Ground ourselves. Noting the texture of the chair we’re sitting in, how it feels to note the texture of our hands and sensing the shoes on our feet are all ways to bring us into our present physical experience.

Part 3: Habits To Increase JOMO

Social media has spawned the crippling fear of missing out, and wanting what others have. But one expert thinks leaning into your FOMO can, strangely, make you happier.