I only heard this acronym a few months ago. It means fear of missing out.
"fear of missing out". The fear that if you miss a party or event you will miss out on something great
Even though he was exhausted, John's fomo got the best of him and he went to the party.
Sound familiar? I am a massive culprit of succumbing to fomo. Equally I get anxious and am uncomfortable when I don't have plans. Something that no doubts contributes to my susceptibility to fomo when something is on.
Where has this come from? This inability to say no to an event when you know you have to prioritise something else? Or feeling like we have to be constantly busy and have jam packed social schedules.
For me? Well I like to be busy. Ask anyone that knows me. My mum and nans in particular are constantly begging me to slow down and make sure I relax take some down time. But I don't. I genuinely like being on the go 24/7 and actually am not very good at all at just stopping and doing nothing. And I don't think I am alone. A normal week for me is 7/8 am starts and 7/8 pm finishes which includes driving 90 ish miles most days, working and then training. That's Monday to Friday. Sometimes I'll have social commitments after training too e.g. birthdays or seeing friends/boyfriend. So you'd think I might take the weekend to recuperate because to be honest it is relentless.
Oh no. Weekends are for fun! My past 4 weekends have been either away (which really does take it out of me) or spent in Edinburgh with said friends. Last weekend in particular was heavy - a double birthday celebration and I had several people staying at mine. I really feel it on a Monday and then by Thursday I'm shattered as I haven't been able to switch off at all. But at the same time the thought of doing nothing one Saturday does not appeal to me in the slightest. Life is for living right?
And I think this is where is starts for me anyway. The fomo and the inability to stop. I don't want to get to 30 or 40 and wonder what I spent my 20's and 30's doing. I really believe that life changes when you get a serious partner and kids (especially kids) and whilst I have no plans for either of those things I hope one day it will happen and I will embrace the change because I have lived my single/irresponsible life with satisfaction. I think this is magnified in me because I have a paranoia that because I spent my teens and Uni years thinking I was 'an athlete' (not a bad thing) but it meant that and to be honest still means that a good deal of my time is committed to training and a competitive season. So no travels over summer, minimal (?!) nights out, eating well, surrounding yourself with like minded people possibly restricting your experiences. It isn't your typical existence - but to be honest knowing typical 20 year olds that was never going to be me anyway!
However, one thing I and I am sure plenty of other people cannot deny is the inevitable slump/emotional breakdown at some point or another when you have this sort of lifestyle. For me it can be triggered by having no milk when I need a cup of tea, or when coach is critical of a technique in the gym (you know who you are!), or really bad traffic. An event of small importance leads to an instant breakdown, tears, and me seeking a cuddle! When this happens I know I HAVE TO STOP. And usually I do - my housemate used to make sure of it. She probably knew when it was coming too (sorry T Dog). If only I had less fomo and a greater ability to preempt when I am near my limits. Well it is coming actually. Usually one to train, train, train and not miss an exercise I recognised this week that I was near to my tipping point and to the absolute shock of my coach and training partner agreed to miss out part of Thursday's session! Progress. I still had fomo though - just the training guilt variety.
And this weekend, I have no plans. Well actually that's a lie. I had no plans as of last night (Friday). I now do but it's pretty low key - rugby, fireworks, training, lunch (I promise that's low key for me). I understand the importance of rest and recovery; I spent much of my job persuading athletes that it is OK to rest and that recovery is paramount. But of course taking my own advice is too hard! The thing is we are not computers, we do not have a constant power supply. We need like batteries to recharge and then go again (preferably not to flat). Life is a constant stream of temptation (well if you live in Edinburgh anyway) but we would probably all do well to say no once in a while - because missing one event is not going to be the end of the world - there will be others (I am going to try to remember that when Christmas party season comes around). I know I for one am a much nicer, less grumpy person when I have slept properly for a few nights as opposed to not. It isn't rocket science. So I am going to try to look after myself - for my own sake and others'. It's a lesson I am sure a lot of people would benefit from - maybe a new years resolution to bear in mind?! 2015 - a new relaxed you?
SAY NO TO FOMO
(haha sorry that just came to me)
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