FOMO, or Fear of Missing Out, is an increasingly common phenomenon in this digital age. The term is often associated with social media addiction and is characterized by excessive concern about the latest news, trends, or experiences. Although it may seem trivial, FOMO can have a negative impact on mental health.
What is FOMO?
FOMO is an anxious feeling about missing out on an experience or activity that takes place around a person. These feelings are often triggered by social media exposure or stories from friends, which makes individuals feel left behind. FOMO not only occurs in social contexts, but can also appear in the fields of work, education, and hobbies. 1
Signs of FOMO
Here are some signs that someone may be experiencing FOMO:1
1. Excessive Use of Social Media: Individuals with FOMO are often stuck in social media, worried about missing out on important moments. Activities such as constant scrolling can add to anxiety and hinder them from enjoying reality.
2. Fear of rejection: The fear of rejection encourages them to stay on top of each other in order to be accepted, often engaging in activities that do not match their interests.
3. Overcommitting: While commitment is important, getting involved in activities too much can drain energy and negatively impact health and quality of life.
4. Feeling Dissatisfied: Despite being active, they often feel dissatisfied and are constantly looking for new experiences, creating a continuous cycle of dissatisfaction.
Example of FOMO
A real-life example of FOMO that we can observe in society is the Labubu doll trend and the hunt for Harry Potter merchandise, which caused long lines at shopping malls in Indonesia. This phenomenon reflects how consumers buy not only for their needs but also to maintain their social image. 2,3,4
The Impact of FOMO
FOMO can have several negative impacts on mental health, including:5
1. Anxiety and Stress: Individuals worry about missing out on positive experiences of others, which can lead to sleep disturbances and depression.
2. Feelings of Dissatisfaction: FOMO can lead to dissatisfaction with personal life, negatively impacting self-esteem and self-confidence.
3. Disrupting Productivity and Concentration: Checking social media frequently can negatively impact productivity and performance at school or work.
4. Triggering Negative Behaviors: FOMO can trigger negative behaviors such as drug use or other risky actions.
5. Decreased Quality of Life: Experiencing FOMO can lead to poor mood and sleep problems.
6. Less Independent: Individuals with FOMO tend to want to engage in trends in order to feel accepted by their social group.
Strategies for Overcoming FOMO
Here are some strategies that can help overcome FOMO: 6
1. Focus on Yourself: Don't compare yourself to others; cherish every moment.
2. Limiting the Use of Social Media and Gadgets: Reducing access to social media can help focus on personal experiences.
3. Focus More on the Real World: Plan a meeting with friends or family to spend quality time together.
4. Strive to Respect Yourself: Take time for yourself and do things that make you love yourself.
Remember, one of the causes of FOMO is using social media too much. And most trends on social media can reduce a person's life satisfaction. So you should use social media wisely.
Reference:
1. Fadhli, dr. Makarim Rizal. "What is FOMO? This is the Definition, Symptoms, and Impact." Hellodoc. Reviewed on January 09, 2024. Available at: https://www.halodoc.com/artikel/apa-itu-fomo-ini-pengertian-gejala-dan-dampaknya#h-apa-itu-fomo
2. Trypam, Randra. "FOMO Pumpkin." Detik Pop. Reviewed on September 19, 2024. Available at: https://www.detik.com/pop/culture/d-7546950/fomo-labubu
3. Lailatul, Fitriani. "Pumpkin Monster Fever: Between Exclusivity, FOMO, and Consumerism." Reviewed on October 13, 2024. Available at: https://www.jawapos.com/hobi-kesenangan/015191636/demam-monster-labubu-antara-eksklusivitas-fomo-dan-konsumerisme
4. "Queues Snake at the Launch of the Harry Potter X Miniso Collection." Reviewed on October 26, 2024. Available at: https://aksi.co/2024/10/20/video-antrean-mengular-di-peluncuran-koleksi-harry-potter-x-miniso
5. Rizal, dr. Fadli. "7 Negative Effects of FOMO on Mental Health." Reviewed on October 25, 2023. Available at: https://www.halodoc.com/artikel/7-dampak-negatif-fomo-bagi-kesehatan-mental?srsltid=AfmBOorlfRPS7irEAVfYjbunXdcO-wT9z9RHnYAw-J8Y4ozl80LNKg07
6. Rizal, dr. Fadli. "It's the Right and Safe Way to Avoid FOMO." Reviewed on December 12, 2022. Available at: https://www.halodoc.com/artikel/ini-cara-tepat-dan-aman-untuk-terhindar-dari-fomo?srsltid=AfmBOopQInkwTGzkYvpMg3cAYILVGg4BhBIRdDarDcEnQUtpwz_XtX7_