We are plagued with a new stress-virus called FOMO: Fear of Missing Out.
Guest Post by DiAnn Mills. For more of her amazing wisdom, go to diann@diannmills.com
We are plagued with a new stress-virus called FOMO: Fear of Missing Out. The biggest symptom is an addiction to our cell phones. Our devices take precedence over everything in our lives—mental, physical, professional, and spiritual. They have become an appendage, and we can be sick without them.
We wake up each morning and check our phones for what happened on all our social media platforms while we slept. We can’t breathe or eat without our phones. We cut our showers short. A walk to the mailbox can’t happen unless our hands are wrapped around our phones. A catastrophe occurs if we leave home without our device. If we wake in the middle of the night, we look to make sure we’re aware of the latest, no matter how trivial, and we must be INCLUDED.
FOMO plagues us with the thought of someone having more fun, saw a better movie, bought the best-looking outfit, had a fabulous meal out, bought a more expensive house, sported new shoes, drove a fantastic car, earned a pay raise, and the list goes on and on. No wonder FOMO drives people to professional counseling.
Death by FOMO means basing our confidence on what our friends and colleagues are doing WITHOUT US. Oh my! He/she has more likes, comments, or downloads than me! Yes. FOMO is a horrible virus. Some medical authorities refer to this condition as a social-anxiety disorder.
Do any of us remember life before mobile phones?
What did we do with our time?
Our hands?
Did we even use our thumbs?
If we find ourselves caught in the stress of FOMO, what steps can we take to heal?
Choose joy in what we have instead of what we don’t have. A friend suggested embracing JOMO—Joy of Missing Out.
Understand our self-worth is not how many followers, links, likes, social events, etc. Our self-worth is based on who we are in Christ. He’s the only link we need.
Focus on gratitude. We may choose a specific time during the day to concentrate on our blessings. This could be a mental or journaling activity. We want to tell others we appreciate them.
Consult with a trusted friend, family member, or professional counselor to help you separate from FOMO.
Study this article for additional insight: The Stress of Social Comparisons.
Pray for wisdom, healing, and restoration.
Our cell phones linked to social media platforms are a technological advantage for all of us to stay informed, educated, and in communication with family, friends, and colleagues. But our devices shouldn’t rule our lives.
Do you have advice for those suffering from FOMO?
Meet DiAnn Mills
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; the Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. She says, “We’ve all been given gifts and talents to further the kingdom of God. Don’t let them go to waste. Develop your skills and reach out to grasp that which God has purposed for you.”
