When you scroll through social media, it seems like just about everyone is living their best life. They're traveling to exotic locations, meeting new and interesting people, enjoying delicious meals, spending time with friends and family, and always being surrounded by good vibes. If you're feeling left out or like you're not doing enough with your life, you might be suffering from FOMO - the Fear of Missing Out.
FOMO, also known as the fear of missing out, is a real phenomenon that can have a negative impact on your mental health.
It can cause anxiety, depression and can even lead to harmful behaviors like excessive spending or drug use. But there are things you can do to deal with FOMO and take back control of your life.
If you're suffering from FOMO know that you're not alone and that there are ways to deal with it. By being mindful of your thoughts and taking action to improve your life, you can overcome the Fear of Missing Out and start living your best life.
14 Tips To Deal With FOMO
Here are 14 tips that will help you deal with FOMO:
1. Stop comparing yourself.
One of the best things you can do for your mental health is to stop comparing yourself to others.
Comparing yourself to others is a recipe for disaster because there will always be someone who is smarter, more successful, more attractive, or has more than you.
Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on being the best version of yourself that you can be.
2. Recognize that social media is not an accurate representation of reality.
People only post the best parts of their lives on social media, making it easy to get influenced by the idea that everyone else's life is better than yours.
But the truth is, what you see on social media is not an accurate representation of reality, and you don't know what's going on in someone else's life. All you see is their highlight reel - the best bits they want to share with the world.
Next time you compare your life to someone else's, remind yourself that you're only seeing a small part of their life and don't know what's going on behind the scenes; everyone has ups and downs, and nobody's life is perfect.
3. Remind yourself that everyone has problems.
Just because someone appears to have it all together doesn't mean that they don't have worries and concerns they're dealing with like everyone else.
No one's life is perfect, and everyone has to deal with difficult situations at some point in their life. Just because you don't see someone else's problems doesn't mean they don't exist.
So instead of feeling envy or jealousy towards someone who seems to have an amazing life, focus on your own life and what you can do to make it better.
4. Take a break from social media.
Too much social media can be a trigger for FOMO. If you feel bad after scrolling through your feed, it might be a good idea to take a break from social media for a while.
Spend some time offline and focus on important things to you in the real world, such as your hobbies, your friends and family, or your goals and aspirations.
5. Be aware of your thoughts.
Your thoughts are powerful and can have a big impact on how you're feeling. If you're constantly thinking about what you're missing out on, it's only natural that you would start to feel bad.
Try to be aware of your thoughts and catch yourself whenever you start to compare your life to someone else's or focus on what you don't have so you can start to change them.
6. Be grateful for what you have.
Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can help shift your perspective and make you appreciate your life more.
It's easy to get caught up in wanting what you don't have, so instead of focusing on what you don't have, take a step back and remind yourself to appreciate all the things you have to be grateful for.
Think about your health, family, friends, job, home, and possessions - all the things that make up your life. Chances are, you have a lot to be grateful for, even if it doesn't seem like it at the moment.
7. Find contentment in your life.
Finding contentment in your life can be difficult when you're constantly comparing yourself to others and wanting what they have.
But it's important to remember that contentment is not about having everything you want in life; it's about being happy and satisfied with what you have.
Instead of chasing after things that you think will make you happy, focus on finding happiness in the life you already have. This doesn't mean that you should settle for less than you deserve, but it means learning to appreciate what you have and not take it for granted.
8. Spend time with people who make you happy.
The people you spend your time with can have a big impact on how you're feeling. If you're constantly around people who constantly complain or focus on the negative, you will likely start to feel the same way.
On the other hand, if you spend time with positive people who make you feel good, you're more likely to feel happy and content with your life.
So make an effort to spend time with people who make you feel good and avoid those who bring you down.
9. Find your passion, hobby, or activity that brings you joy.
Doing something that you love can make you feel more fulfilled and help you appreciate your life more.
It doesn't matter what it is, as long as it's something that makes you happy. It could be anything from painting and biking to hiking and cooking.
Try exploring different hobbies and activities until you find something that ignites a fire within you and makes time for it; it'll start making you feel so much better.
10. Make plans and follow through with them.
The best way to stop feeling like you're missing out on life is to start living your life the way you want to, and for that to happen, you have to make plans and follow through with them.
Start by making a list of goals you want to achieve and then take small steps; it could be anything from planning a trip to starting a new hobby to learning a new skill.
Life will never go according to plan, no matter how much you plan, so you might as well just pick something that you've wanted to do and make it happen
When you're living the life you want, you don't have time to focus on what everyone else is doing.
11. Focus on your journey.
When you're suffering from FOMO, you get sidetracked, and it's hard to focus on your goals because you're too busy focusing on what everyone else is doing.
You need to focus on what's best for you; other's journeys are not your journey, and comparing yourself will only hold you back from achieving your goals and living your dreams.
Instead of worrying about what others are doing, focus on your own life and what you want to achieve; long as you're making progress, that's all that matters.
12. Let go of perfectionism.
Perfectionism is the enemy of happiness. When you're a perfectionist, you're never satisfied with your life because you always strive for an unattainable ideal.
Instead of being a perfectionist, learn to accept yourself and your life as it is, focus on doing your best and learning from your mistakes.
13. Take risks
Taking risks adds excitement to your life and helps you appreciate what you have. Life can get pretty boring when you're constantly living in your comfort zone.
But when you step out of your comfort zone and take risks, you're opening yourself up to new experiences and opportunities.
So go ahead and book that trip, sign up for that class or ask out that person you've been crushing on - you might surprise yourself with how much fun you have.
14. Seek professional help if FOMO is negatively impacting your life.
If you find that FOMO negatively impacts your life, it may be time to seek professional help.
A therapist can help you understand the root cause of your constant FOMO and give you tools to manage and deal with it.
There are also many resources online available that can help you, such as articles, blog posts, and books to help you understand and deal with your FOMO.
With that being said, don't hesitate to reach out for help if you're struggling. The constant fear of missing out can be detrimental to your overall wellbeing; mentally and physically.
If you're constantly worrying about what others are doing and comparing yourself, it's important to take a step back and focus on your own life.
Remember, you are in control of your happiness, so focus on living the life you want.