The Joy of Missing Out — JOMO

Despina Manendi
2 min readJun 24, 2024
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Summer is meant to be a season for enjoying the fruits of our labor, yet why does it seem like we’re rushing instead of relaxing?

I’ve always known about FOMO, the Fear of Missing Out, but only recently, while procrastinating and taking an online test to see if I was experiencing FOMO, I realized to my surprise that I was indeed in FOMO mode.

It suggested JOMO as a solution.

What is JOMO anyway?

We all know FOMO as the anxiety that arises when we feel we’re missing out on news, information, experiences, events, and more, especially on social media.

On the other hand, JOMO, or the Joy of Missing Out, is about finding relief and contentment in opting out of social pressures. It’s about savoring solitude and personal fulfillment over superficial engagements.

My JOMO Experience

Embracing JOMO has been a game-changer for me. Instead of constantly feeling pressured to keep up with everyone else, I’ve learned to appreciate moments of quiet and reflection.

I started putting my phone on simple mode during weekends, just receiving only calls. Initially, it was challenging, but now I prefer the peace of a silent, black screen. It’s a small step, but it’s making a big difference.

Searching for JOMO, I encountered the below stats on digitaldetox.com, with the third one being particularly odd. Isn’t it?

How about you? How often do you feel relieved when plans get canceled? Are you comfortable spending a weekend without socials?

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Despina Manendi

Exploring the holistic and ethical approach to life, both personal and business. Join my newsletter 👇 https://despinashub.gumroad.com/l/plrho