Social media has gotten us all up in everyone’s else’s business. It’s a front row seat to the fun others are having laid out clearly in front of us which, if we let it, can result in the anxiety accelerating phenomena known as FOMO – Fear Of Missing Out. If that’s something you’re familiar with, you are not alone. A study found that over 69% of us experience it, mostly from our interaction with social media. We’ve all gone down that rabbit hole of inquiry and, let’s face it, nosiness to see what’s going on. It’s when we take up residence in that hole that we can be overwrought with apprehension about being left out.

The ladder up out of that hole is JOMO – Joy of Missing Out. Described as the emotionally intelligent antidote to FOMO, it’s a shift in mindset away from worrying about where you weren’t to being content where you are. Swapping getting all caught up in digital life for “recognizing the value of slowing down … and prioritizing one’s mental and emotional well-being over the pressures of staying perpetually connected.” In other words, you can find your JOMO by living IRL – In Real Life.

Which doesn’t mean cutting yourself off entirely from the online world. You can live IRL in harmony with social media by adjusting your usage to JOMO friendly. Implement a practice of digital mindfulness to taper down activity by using app timers, turning off notifications and deleting apps that do not serve you. Mute and comment filters are powerful tools that can be used liberally on triggering accounts. And for accounts you choose to continue to follow, relieve yourself of comparison by sharing the good things you see and do IRL.

Taking that first step out into the real world can be daunting – where do you even start? You start by sitting yourself down and writing a list of all the things you wanted to do but never quite found the time for when you were so tied up being online. It can be anything from reconnecting face to face with a friend you’ve been missing to enrolling in that cooking class you’ve been meaning to take. Then pick the one that is most comfortable and achievable and go do it. Before you know it, you’ll be so happy following your dreams you’ll have discovered your JOMO.

Celebrate being in the moment rather than pining for a moment that has past. You can release yourself from the digital world and live the life you deserve. Because as it turns out, the only thing you were missing out on was your joy.

If you, someone you love or someone in your network needs support on the journey of addiction recovery and emotional well-being, The Recovery Coach NY is here to help. Our program, developed by Founder & President Cindy Feinberg, is based on the philosophical theory of holism: The system as a whole determines how the parts behave. Working together, we develop a plan to provide the safety, structure and accountability that promotes long-term wellness.

Learn about the benefits of working with a member of our Recovery Coach and Mental Health Coach teams by having a confidential conversation with Cindy via phone at 631-921-4085 or reach her directly via email here.

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