FOMO. Fear Of Missing Out. Apparently it's a new (well, new to me) acronym that has been making the rounds. It specifically applies to social media, like Facebook and Twitter and Instagram. Its the feeling that comes from seeing everyone else's "great" lives, "fantastic" vacations, and "amazing" activities online.
I think it's a bunch of bullshit. Really. It's a high school mentality. The same feeling most of us had that the "popular kids" were somehow having an easier, better time of it. It essentially boils down to one thing.
Perception.
I used to care how other people perceived me and my life. Until just recently, actually. It's only been maybe... two years that I stopped living my life for other people and started making decisions and choices that made me happy. Decisions and choices that benefited my life and mental health and family. It's been absolutely liberating, and I highly recommend that you try it.
It wasn't easy, though. I had to learn to let go of one essential and very human emotion- jealousy. Not envy-- that is a whole other emotion that I still wrestle with. Jealously. The definition of jealousy is resentment against a rival or a person enjoying success or advantage. I had to learn to stop being so angry and irritated that life seemed to deal me a bum hand. I had to let go of that feeling that I was somehow owed something. I had to be okay with who I was and where I was at in my life.
I also needed to look beyond what other had. Sure, this friend and his wife went to Bermuda or Paris, but I knew they couldn't afford it. They charged it to an already over-burdened credit card. And this other friend, she runs marathons! Why can't I do that? I had to remember that I truly hate running. The only time I will run is if I am being chased. And what about that person's amazing and expensive wedding? Remember they are probably starting their married life out in debt. And isn't marriage hard enough without adding that to the mix?
Try to perceive what is behind the shiny, perfect outside. Everyone has problems, and no one is perfect. It's really just all about perception. Don't fear missing out. You only truly miss out when you waste time on petty, poisonous jealousy.
Until tomorrow--
Jenna
I think it's a bunch of bullshit. Really. It's a high school mentality. The same feeling most of us had that the "popular kids" were somehow having an easier, better time of it. It essentially boils down to one thing.
Perception.
I used to care how other people perceived me and my life. Until just recently, actually. It's only been maybe... two years that I stopped living my life for other people and started making decisions and choices that made me happy. Decisions and choices that benefited my life and mental health and family. It's been absolutely liberating, and I highly recommend that you try it.
It wasn't easy, though. I had to learn to let go of one essential and very human emotion- jealousy. Not envy-- that is a whole other emotion that I still wrestle with. Jealously. The definition of jealousy is resentment against a rival or a person enjoying success or advantage. I had to learn to stop being so angry and irritated that life seemed to deal me a bum hand. I had to let go of that feeling that I was somehow owed something. I had to be okay with who I was and where I was at in my life.
I also needed to look beyond what other had. Sure, this friend and his wife went to Bermuda or Paris, but I knew they couldn't afford it. They charged it to an already over-burdened credit card. And this other friend, she runs marathons! Why can't I do that? I had to remember that I truly hate running. The only time I will run is if I am being chased. And what about that person's amazing and expensive wedding? Remember they are probably starting their married life out in debt. And isn't marriage hard enough without adding that to the mix?
Try to perceive what is behind the shiny, perfect outside. Everyone has problems, and no one is perfect. It's really just all about perception. Don't fear missing out. You only truly miss out when you waste time on petty, poisonous jealousy.
Until tomorrow--
Jenna
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