Let me start by defining FOMO for those of us who are unfamiliar with the acronym: It stands for “Fear of Missing Out”, commonly referring to the anxiety one feels when they think they are missing a fun event or important get-together with a specific group of people. I can honestly say I am one of the weakest links that could possibly exist when it comes to FOMO. I’m unable to say “no” to a party, even if I already have other previously made plans. Weekends are a stressful occasion for me, since I will party jump to every, single gathering, making sure I’m not missing anything at any of them. The fear of missing something “important” is borderline crippling since it forces me to jump from one celebration to the next, rushing around without actually taking the time to appreciate what I’m doing in the moment.This became painfully obvious a few weeks ago when a friend and I spent so much time going back and forth between two bars trying to spend equal time with each group of friends. Instead, we ended up spending the majority of our time (and money) in taxis, making small talk with the bored drivers and wishing we were someplace else. So in 2015 I vow to give up FOMO for good, and learn to dedicate myself to being fully present where ever I decide to spend my time that night. With these tips and tricks, I think I’ve done pretty well for myself!1. Admit That You Have a ProblemAccording to…well, everything, the first step to fixing a problem, is knowing that you have a problem. So I’m pretty certain being aware of my ridiculous FOMO, is a step in the right direction.2. Be Honest With Friends / Don’t Double-BookNext, simply be honest to yourself, and to others about your plans. If you tell someone you’ll be at their birthday party, actually show up. Don’t leave early to go see your friends band play at a bar across town. Commit to one plan and stick to it. By spreading yourself too thin, you truly miss out on the full experience of whatever you’ve committed to doing. 3. Make Plans With a Friend Who Can Hold You AccountableThe easiest way I kept myself accountable for these changes, was to talk it over with someone else. A close friend of mine doesn’t have an inkling of FOMO in her (lucky her!), so talking over my weekend plans with her helped me to schedule one thing each night, without over doing it. If I explained that on Friday night I’d be going between Brooklyn and Manhattan to hang out with two different groups of friends, she’d sit me down and prioritize which group I’d rather be with, or which people I haven’t seen lately. Having someone talk it over with put my outrageous planning in perspective. 4. Cut Out Social MediaPictures can be deceiving. With various filters and advanced editing tools, the photos posted to social media accounts depicting a “fun night out with the girls” or “best bro’s night of the year” is usually just a carefully chosen image off the (usually limited) high-light reel from the night. Studies have shown that social media makes people feel worse about their overall satisfaction in life, so why not try to reduce the time you spend scrolling through other’s so-called super exciting lives? Since I’ve been paring down my social calender, each night out has been more fulfilling, with the creation of better memories and deeper connections much easier after spending an entire evening with one group. Even having the ability to say “no” to a night out after a tiring week has been life-changing. Enjoying one’s own company, and taking some time for yourself is liberating. We all complain about being “so busy,” but by saying “yes” to everything, we are inviting in stress, pushing out free time, and allowing the lives of others to dictate our own satisfaction in life. Related Articles: 4 Tips If Your Resolution is to Cook More in 2015
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