Y’all let’s get to it….FOMO and social media. First off, FOMO stands for Fear Of Missing Out. You know that feeling when everyone is going to a party but you had previous plans and can’t make it? That feeling you get knowing you will miss out on all the fun is referred to as “FOMO”. It’s bad enough having to deal with your real life friends BUT add social media to it and it’s 10 times worse.
As a digital influencer, my job to being plugged in at all times. The downside of that is now more that ever I always get a case of FOMO! I know I’m not alone here. Travel bloggers post lust-worthy/envious destination pictures. Your 22-year old cousin/friend/sister/stranger just bought a 4 bedroom house and has no student loan debt #goals. Leaving you feeling unsatisfied, overly critical of yourself and sometimes down in the dumps.
You may start to question yourself (not for the better). “Why am I not making more money?” “Why do they have all the things they want but I don’t?” I’m here to tell you that you are not alone. This post is not a pity post but more of an honest conversation. We live in an age of “social” media yet we are less social than ever. The next time you have a gathering, check how many people are glued to their phones and not enjoying the moment. Trust me, I already know I’m guilty.
And as hard as it is doing what I do, I found out the solutions to my problems.
- PUT THE PHONE DOWN. You will be amazed at how much better you feel when you aren’t spending hours a day being jealous of people’s lives on Instagram.
- LIVE IN THE MOMENT. Ever notice how fast time goes when you are mindlessly surfing the internet? You don’t appreciate things and moments as much when you are trying to get the perfect 10 second video for snapchat and then need to post it right away. When you stop and smell the roses you notice how the birds chirp louder, how blessed you truly are or how much you actually love your significant other.
- STOP COMPARING. They say that comparison is the thief of joy. It truly is. If going on Instagram, Facebook, or snapchat leave you feeling worse than you did before you logged on, do less of it. Another great quote I love is “don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle” So you make $10 an hour and you want to make $30 an hour. Your friend has been with the same company for 5 years and makes $35 an hour. You are the same age but they literally stared from the bottom now they’re here. Don’t be so entitled to think that you should make the same because you’re the same age at the same company. You are comparing your beginning to their middle. He/she put in the time and work, rightfully they deserve to be making more than you.
- EVERY DOG HAS IT’S DAY. It’s not just a saying, it’s so true. Everyone will experience some sort of success in their life. Yes it may feel like the 40 people that you follow are all getting something or doing something. Guess what, your time will come my friend. Have patience, keep working hard and stay in your own lane.
- FOCUS ON YOURSELF. If you paid yourself half as much attention as you did other people…you could be the next Beyonce 😉 . There is another quote that says, “Successful people never worry about what others are doing.” Why, because they are too busy being successful duh! One last thing, everything doesn’t have to be documented. In my line of work many things do however. Don’t feel the need to prove yourself to people, earn it. Actions speak louder than words.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this post. Sound off in the comments below. Please tell me I’m not the only one who feels this way sometimes.
Thanks for reading!
