By: Sydney Armstrong
In a world that never sleeps, it is easy to feel like you are constantly missing out on things, whether it be concerts, sports events, or even the latest movie coming out in theaters. The fear of missing out is triggered by worries about other people experiencing new things and living a better life than you.
“The more you look at social media and your phone, the more likely you are going to experience FOMO, and the worse it’s going to get,” Delta College Professor Amber Johnson shared. “The more you scroll on your phone and look at other people’s lives, the more images you get to compare yourself to.”
Social media is addictive and provides us with short-lived dopamine doses. Constantly scrolling creates a cycle of wanting to stay engaged while simultaneously feeling left out. This perpetuates nasty habits that lead to negative feelings such as inadequacy, dissatisfaction, and anxiety.
“We’re in a society of oversharing, the fear of missing out happens when you’re absent from social media,” Delta College communications student Alauna Millward explains. “You miss out on something supposedly everybody else already knows because they are on social media.”
When using social media, there’s a sense of urgency to stay updated on the latest trends, memes, news, and more. This can lead to an unhealthy cycle where users feel compelled to share more of their lives and time on social media, which directly contributes to the oversharing Millward mentioned. What does this mean for our mental health, are we truly choosing technology over genuine human connections?
“The fear of missing out can cause you to compare your life to other people, which isn’t healthy and can lead to a deterioration in your day-to-day life,” Elijah Tyson, an associate of science major, expressed.
Tyson highlights the constant comparison the fear of missing out can create. When we constantly compare ourselves to others, it negatively impacts our mental health and leads to feelings of dissatisfaction or inadequacy with our own lives. When we measure our self-worth and lives based on strangers on the internet, it can diminish our appreciation of what we already have and cause our reality to go awry.
“What I do to cope with the fear of missing out is I try to focus on what’s going on in my life,” Delta College student Quinton Gates explains. “If someone is going on a skiing or hiking trip and I’m not, I try to focus on what I am going to do this weekend rather than what they’re doing.”
Gates’ healthy approach to coping with the fear of missing out is focusing on yourself rather than comparing yourself to others. Having this mindset can shift our focus from what is outside of our control and help us appreciate what we have in our own lives.
Gates’ method highlights the importance of being mindful in an online world that amplifies exclusion and feelings of inadequacy. When you prioritize your own experience over others, you can build a more balanced relationship with social media.
In today’s digital age, the fear of missing out is a common struggle. Whether it’s the constant comparison or the need to stay updated, FOMO can negatively affect our mental health and lives. The key to managing this struggle is balance: focus on your personal goals, appreciate what you have, cherish your own experiences, and step away from the digital world.
