The Antidote to FOMO: Discovering the Joy of Missing Out

You’ve probably felt it before. That subtle restlessness when you see others doing “more.” Traveling. Celebrating. Building. Posting. Thriving. Suddenly, your own life — which felt fine moments earlier — feels… less.

That’s FOMO talking. The fear of missing out.

The term FOMO was coined in 2004 by Patrick J. McGinnis, a Harvard Business School student. He described the modern anxiety of wanting to do everything, and fearing that whatever you chose might not be the best option. Sound familiar?

Years later, JOMO — the Joy of Missing Out — emerged as a healthy rebellion. One of its strongest advocates, Christina Crook, popularized the idea in her 2015 book The Joy of Missing Out: Finding Balance in a Wired World. She reframed “missing out” not as a loss, but as a win — a reclaiming of presence, clarity, and peace.

JOMO isn’t just about logging off or pretending you don’t care. It’s the freedom that comes from understanding what matters to you and letting go of what doesn’t. It’s about waking up and choosing to live in alignment with your values instead of society’s expectations. Missing out on their path might just be the only way to fully walk yours.

When FOMO starts knocking, I pause and ask myself, “Is this really necessary for me?” More often than not, the answer is no or not right now. This simple question clears the fog, reminding me not to fall for the illusions that society or clever marketing tries to sell. I consciously choose to skip what others chase without question.

Here’s what practicing JOMO looks like in my life:

I say no to things that seem shiny but don’t resonate.
I turn off the noise — leaving my phone in flight mode during sleeping hours, hikes, fishing, and even droning.
I slow down, listen inward, and honor what my energy and spirit need, especially during my morning yoga practices.

It’s not always easy. FOMO still knocks on my door sometimes. But these days, I hesitate to answer. I pause, breathe, and ask again: Am I really missing out, or am I right where I need to be?

Being busy with activities that don’t require my phone or laptop is a simple way to keep the noise at bay.

The joy of missing out is not a lack. It’s a presence. A rootedness. A quiet celebration of your unique rhythm.

If you’ve felt pulled in too many directions lately, perhaps it’s time to come home to yourself. You might find that what you were missing… wasn’t out there at all.