In a world without FOMO, would we be happier, or unadventurous?
- Helena Dias
- Oct 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 29
How many times have you gone to an event which you really did not want to attend, just so that you would not miss out on something? We have all done this at least once in our lives, and this is due to one simple term called FOMO, or fear of missing out. FOMO is described as a feeling of anxiety caused by the thought of others living better experiences than you, or without you. This feeling is closely tied and worsened by social media, as it allows people to see what others are doing with a simple scroll. Fear of missing out may cause people to become detached from the present moment and neglect their own reality, leading to negative emotions. On the other hand, it might also act as a motivational tool to try harder and to seek experiences outside of your comfort zone. Given all of this, imagine living in a world where FOMO is not a factor. Do you think you would be happier or unadventurous?
Despite being commonly used as a slang term, FOMO can have serious consequences. Due to growing interconnectivity, it is becoming increasingly easier for people to compare themselves to others. According to Sheldon Reid, a writer and mental health expert, “For early humans, being included in group activities like hunting was necessary for survival. This is why rejection can be such a painful experience; the brain is wired to seek a sense of belonging and acceptance by others.” This explains that humans naturally seek inclusion, and the desire to “stay in the loop” can keep people from enjoying their present life as they obsess over what they might be missing out on.
Besides causing people to neglect their present, it has been proven that FOMO can trigger issues such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness, as people develop a desperate urge to check their phones at every moment for updates and notifications. Furthermore, they excessively compare their lives with the ones lived by people they see online. An experiment conducted by the University of Pennsylvania further proves the negative effects of FOMO and social media. In the experiment, 143 students of the university were randomly selected to have their Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat limited to 10 minutes per platform per day. The group showed a decrease in depression and loneliness, as well as greater self-awareness and less FOMO. All of these factors suggest that if FOMO did not exist, people would be happier and live better lives.
On the other hand, there are also positive effects of FOMO, which indicate that if the feeling were to be eliminated from society, people would be less motivated and less bold. Fear of missing out can be a great motivational tool. This is because seeing others achieve goals and gain new accomplishments can push us to set higher goals and try harder. For example, if one student fears missing out on a school trip, this may motivate them to put in more effort in the team or club they are part of in order for them to be invited for the trip.
Another way FOMO can be helpful is by pushing people out of their comfort zones. Oftentimes, the need to feel included pushes people to say yes to activities they usually would not agree to, encouraging them to try new things and seek new experiences. This allows people to expand their horizons, meet new people, and find new passions that they might never have considered before. This highlights the importance of FOMO and the benefits it can have on a person's life, as it encourages ambition and bravery.
Recently, a new term has been introduced as the opposite of FOMO: JOMO, or joy of missing out. JOMO is a feeling of contentment in being where you are and you are doing what you are doing, without worrying about other people. JOMO contrasts with FOMO because while the second encourages people to constantly seek more, the first encourages them to slow down and find peace in their own moment. This mindset emphasizes focus on real life and building relationships. It also values privacy and alone time. People that feel joy in missing out are grateful for what they have and are not obsessed with other people's achievements. This lifestyle, which consists of rejecting FOMO, is proven to increase happiness and reduce stress. JOMO does not mean giving up your goals or isolating yourself. Instead, it means understanding that your happiness depends on your own goals instead of constant activity or validation. Perhaps the perfect balance is between FOMO and JOMO, where you are curious enough to try new things while still being content with yourself.
FOMO and JOMO represent opposite yet connected aspects of life; while one is driven by curiosity and sparks ambition, the other is characterized by peace and contentment. At the same time, FOMO can motivate people to try new experiences and achieve more, it may cause stress, anxiety, and loneliness. Coming back to our initial question, a world without FOMO can be calmer and less stressful; however, it could lack excitement, motivation, and innovation. In conclusion, we can see that the best approach to life could be balancing FOMO and JOMO, in a way in which ambition and self-contentment are present. Now, what do you think? If you had the option to live in a world without FOMO, would you do it?
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