FOMO: Fear of Missing Out. This is a very common feeling in college, as we are constantly going, constantly busy, and constantly surrounded by people. In my experience so far, I feel major guilt when I have free time to relax. If the only thing I find myself doing is laying in my bed, taking a break from my work, I barely enjoy it because of the unproductive feeling that shows up uninvited, without fail. Combatting this has been difficult, especially on weekends, but I have found ways to overcome it.
Social media plays a huge role in this. I have a bad habit of checking it immediately before bed and immediately upon waking up. Even when I am doing something productive, I have a tendency to check my phone to see what others are doing that may be more exciting than what I have going on. This obviously makes it worse, often leading to comparing and contrasting, and more broadly, unhappiness. At this point, we should all know that social media is faker than it is real. Rather than seeing someone’s life, we see a highlight reel of the best moments, making it so much easier to question our own. This method is completely destructive and worsens our well-being, which I am personally trying to keep away from.
My suggestion is to stop paying attention to how and why exactly people are doing what they are doing. I know it is easier said than done, but simply avoiding social media when you know you are already upset or anxious is a great first step. Looking to social media to find happiness can be addicting and is always a bad idea. It is so incredibly easy to look at the world from an outside perspective, consumed by the lives of others, wondering what you could be doing better. When you are so tuned into this, you lose sight of that inward perspective: who are you? What is your true, authentic sense of self?
Gratitude is something at which I am trying to get better. It is literally the easiest thing to do: when you wake up, when you go to bed, or whenever you remember the method, think of three (or more) things for which you are grateful. Every time I do this, my mood is boosted by a mile and I become more aware of the things that matter in life. Gratitude is the ultimate cure for an issue like FOMO.
All in all, FOMO is not fun. It is something that everyone in college will deal with at least once, so knowing how to prevent it is key to a healthy and happy experience. Remember: whatever you feel like you are missing out on, you are probably not missing out on much. Stay present, stay in the moment, and do what you feel is right for you.