JOMO: Finding Joy in the Age of FOMO

Who'd have thought having the entire world's knowledge at our fingertips 24/7 would be a problem? When every spare second of your day can be filled with social media updates, news cycles, or even insightful articles like the ones here on Sarcastonaut, you'd figure people would be feeling overwhelmed... because, well, they are.

This hyper-connectivity has given rise to a now-common acronym: FOMO, or the Fear of Missing Out. You might have heard of FOMO in connection to your cousin's latest crypto scheme, or those Amazon flash sales, or even the latest TikTok dance. That said, FOMO can be applied to almost everything we do online:

• Scrolling endlessly through social media to stay updated on friends and family? FOMO.
• Constantly consuming news or podcasts to stay informed? FOMO.
• Checking email incessantly to avoid missing something important? FOMO.
• Binge-watching the latest shows the moment they drop to stay in the social loop? FOMO.
• Obsessively tracking stock or crypto markets to catch the next big wave? FOMO.

You see, FOMO can apply to so many things, and it's not entirely new. People have always enjoyed staying informed. The key difference is the constant availability of information, all vying for our attention. We've become so accustomed to having this access that we often feel we need it.

This constant craving for information, accompanied with a gnawing worry of missing out, takes a serious toll on our mental health and well-being. It fuels stress, anxiety, and even depression. This constant connectivity has become a trap, making many feel like they can't disconnect.

In the context of work, this can lead to poor work-life balance and burnout. When it comes to social media, addiction can breed unhealthy self-comparisons and feelings of inadequacy. Plus, constant exposure to news cycles full of negativity can make the world feel like it's burning faster than it actually is. Small problems can feel exponentially larger when amplified by global information access and hyper-targeted social media algorithms.

JOMO Enter Stage Left

It might sound bleak, but there's a growing movement helping people break free from the grip of constant connectivity. It's called JOMO: the Joy of Missing Out. People are discovering that ditching their devices and social media feeds and going outside to touch grass can significantly improve their mental well-being.

There are varying levels of JOMO that people embrace. Some embrace it with simple time limits on their devices, while others go cold turkey, disconnecting entirely and fleeing to dance wildly in the woods. Regardless of the degree, many find that disconnecting, even temporarily, brings a renewed sense of contentment.

Personally, I fall into the middle of the road on this one. I recognize the benefits of connectivity and believe there's value to shared digital experiences. However, after my own mental health struggles, I've made some changes that have yielded positive results. Here are a few JOMO strategies that have worked for me:

• Scheduled Notifications: Turn off non-essential phone notifications after a certain hour or during specific events. Many phones offer built-in "focus mods" for this, and there are also apps available to help manage notifications.
• Designated Response Times: Block out specific times of day for checking messages and engaging with social media. Remember, those messages and updates will still be there later. You probably won't miss out on much by waiting.
• Read Receipts Off: Turn off read receipts for texts and social media. This complements the previous suggestion and allows you to check messages without feeling pressured to respond immediately.
• Voicemail as Your Ally: Let phone calls go to voicemail unless you're expecting a specific call. My rule of thumb is: if it's important, they'll leave a message or call back. I make sure to set this expectation with people in my life.
• Curated Social Media: Use different social media accounts with different algorithms. I started doing this to break out of social media echo chambers, but it also gives more control over the content you see. You can actively choose when and how you engage with content, reducing the chance of being bombarded with negativity unexpectedly.

This brings up another challenge of JOMO - the social aspect. In our hyper-connected world, disconnecting can sometimes lead to social pushback. It's important not to completely ignore your social connections, but rather to set clear expectations with loved ones. Explain why taking breaks from constant connectivity is essential for your mental well-being.

There is nothing wrong with being connected sometimes, but intentionally disconnecting and experiencing the world without the constant stream of information can make a world of difference for your sanity!