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What does JOMO mean?

Joy of Missing Out. 

Essentially, it’s the opposite of the ever-so-popular-term, FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).

I love missing out. LOVE it.

If I have to spend a night on my couch instead of meeting up with people at a bar, I regret nothing. If we make plans to meet for lunch and you have to cancel, I revel in the fact that I get some quality me-time.

In college, and shortly after I graduated, I was quite the opposite. I suffered from FOMO. All the time. I wanted to be everywhere and do everything and be involved in more ways than my mind and body could handle. I said “yes” to others far too often, said “no” to myself more than I should have, and felt increasingly tired as this disorder continued.

At some point, things shifted significantly.

Enter JOMO.

I realize this makes me sound like an ultimate loner. But, the truth is, I don’t get enough time with myself. I just don’t. My job requires me to be ON at all times of the day. I’m interacting with people from the minute I get out of my car each morning at 6:45 until I leave work between 6-6:30 in the evening. I work with these wonderful, curious little brains that want to know all the “whys” and the “hows” and the “whats” of the world they live in. And I want to be able to provide them with answers to all the “whys,” the “hows,” and the “whats.” I’m not complaining about my job. But I’m also not complaining when you cancel on me for that very reason.

I’ve simply been struck by JOMO.

How Do I Indulge In My “JOMO” Time?

“Digital detoxes” and meditation are becoming more and more popular. People are over-stimulated and need to find ways to “escape” reality for a bit. It is something that I am working on, have been working on, and will probably continue to work on forever. It’s easy to get caught up in everything social-media related. I love Twitter. I scroll through my Facebook feed each morning. The minute my alarm goes off, I shut it off and spend a few minutes laying in bed flipping from one app to another.

I voluntarily clutter my brain, but continue to crave an uncluttered lifestyle. I’m not perfect. I don’t intend to shut myself off from social media. I love it FAR too much for that. But I’m learning to unplug and disconnect more than I have previously. Here’s what I’ve been doing.

I spend 15 minutes a day writing in this journal contemplating my goals for the week and my intention for the day.

I take an evening bath (with these bath salts) to give myself some time to wind down and shift away from screen time. 

My diffuser has been diffusing oil blends such as Serenity and Peace and Lavender. 

I set timers and limits when I’m using my computer or phone. 

And I turn my Zen Garden Music on to help me internalize the calm. 

Questions of the Day:

• Are you diagnosed with JOMO? Or FOMO? Or IDGAFOMO?
• How do you indulge in JOMO time?