Fear Of Missing Out, or FOMO, seems to be taking over this generation. With the role social media plays in our lives, and the constantly growing competitive culture that surrounds us, FOMO has the ability to control our lives easily. I think we all fall victim to it at least once in a while. While it's not a clinically diagnosed disorder, if you have even a slight case of FOMO, then you know these side effects are real:
1. You are probably always tired, no matter how much sleep you get.
Which isn't usually a lot, but still.
2. You become a professional multi-tasker.
You have homework and about a million other things on your to do list (like always), but your friend asked you to hang out? No problem, you could do it all in your sleep. You got this.
3. You constantly over-schedule yourself.
To the point where you always seem make plans with different people at the same time because you just can't say no, and you often have to make up excuses to cancel on one of them. It's bad.
4. The addiction to social media is real.
You always have to know what everyone else is up to. And if you see someone doing something cool without you or with someone else, you're definitely that one jealous friend.
5. Over-analyzing the timing of everything in life is a hobby of yours.
It's so hard for you to trust that everything will happen when it's supposed to. If all of your best friends are making it to a certain life milestone, then why aren't you? Why isn't it happening now?!
6. You do things even when you don't want to.
You can't say no when people ask you to do something, so you end up doing it even if it makes you miserable and even more tired than before.
7. Procrastination is also a hobby of yours.
Why should you do homework that's due in two days, when you could be hanging out with friends? There's plenty of time for work later (or so your mind wants you to think).
8. You are always down for an adventure.
It's 2am and your friends want to go on a drive with no clear destination? Why not?!
9. You get bored easily.
You are physically unable to just sit at home all day and relax. You always need to be out and about and doing something to keep you occupied, or else you feel like you're missing out on something.
10. You live life to the fullest.
You may be over-scheduled to the max and never fully rested, but you have plenty of life-long memories and very few regrets to make up for it.
Not all of these things are bad. I know some people may argue that FOMO is something you need to learn to get over, but I say learn to live with it, and own it. Don't let it control every aspect of your life, remember to do what makes you truly happy, but also realize that your drive for adventure and new experiences is a gift.
