Embrace JOMO and Leave FOMO Behind

Wilderness Wisdom

Jul 31

Do you have the latest disease known as FOMO?

What is FOMO

FOMO, or the Fear Of Missing Out, is a new thing that has appeared in conjunction with the rise of 24/7 connectivity. FOMO is a feeling of anxiety or insecurity over the possibility of missing out on something, perhaps an event or an opportunity. As a result, people try to stay continually connected with what others are doing. With today’s smartphones and social networking sites, people become more and more reliant on being connected to the internet. If one is not connected, one can feel anxiety or fear of missing out.This is not to say that the internet and technology are bad. (After all, it is somewhat ironic that I am writing a blog on this topic.) However, reliance on technology is a two-edged sword. We have amazing and efficient access to information. We can see our world in ways never possible before. Our social connections can be enhanced, too.

Too Much of a Good Thing

However, too much of a good thing can turn bad. People can develop negative feelings and emotions from social media sites because of envy toward others’ posts and lives. They wish that their lives can be as good as others. We loose perspective and begin to feel inferior. They fear missing out on some opportunity.

Psychology Today has come up with 10 recommendations for coping with FOMO.

Slow down
Practice discernment
Go for the experience, not the symbol
Be willing not to have it all
One thing at a time
Practice mindfulness
Prioritize relationships over acquisitions
Savor the moment
Cultivate an attitude of gratitude
Enjoy the process.

Another Idea – Disconnect for a Week

The list is a good start. But I have another suggestion. Go somewhere and disconnect for a week. I try to take at least one trip a year where I can not connect to the internet. Granted, this getting harder to do as cell towers continually pop up.

Less FOMO and More JOMO - Joy of Missing Out

I am amazed how, when I reconnect, I rarely find that anything has actually changed - except me. I begin to realize how our world has turned everything into a crisis. Whether it’s news, or the need to own the latest thing, we are conned into believing we must follow the story in real-time. However, if you disconnect for a week, you learn that the story really doesn’t change much over time. You get an appreciation for JOMO – the Joy Of Missing Out.

One of the great things about the Boundary Waters is that there is no connectivity. You are forced to live for a time on your own. You are refreshed. This creates JOMO. It is what inspires me to sign off my blogs with this:

Come Enjoy the Boundary Waters - Book Now for best Date Availablity

Don't miss out on how amazing the BWCA is! To start planning your trip to the boundary waters canoe area contact Williams and Hall or call us at 218.365.5837

Paddle On. Be Free.

Kevin Lynch

Kevin lives in the Chicago area. He has been providing business and wilderness expertise to Williams and Hall since 2004, and most recently has taken on digital marketing responsibilities. Kevin first visited the Boundary Waters as a scout leader when his son was a young Boy Scout. Some of you may have seen him having the time of his life fishing Moose Lake, canoeing throughout the Boundary Waters, or camping as far from civilization as he can get. Kevin is a life-long avid outdoors man who particularly enjoys fly fishing and wilderness camping. (He wears a lot of sun screen.) Also, some of you may know Kevin’s son, Brian (now an Eagle Scout), who spent many summers working at Williams and Hall before finishing college.