An increasing number of spottings of the word / acronym / concept of JOMO is hopefully not just a trend. But a sign of a new time. A time where we’re less stressed about chasing the latest hype or doing more than our wallet and health can afford.
If you’re new to the concept, JOMO is short for Joy Of Missing Out. A response to the popular hashtag of recent years, FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). FOMO has represented the activity filled era of mass consumption we’ve been in for quite some time as it reflects the stress many of us feel of always wanting to be on trend. Having the latest fashion, the latest phone. Going to the most hip bars and restaurants. Hitting the latest food and health trends.
FOMO has also been walking hand in hand with YOLO (You Only Live Once). The concept of doing things, taking a chance, being adventurous – because you only live once and time may be running out.
Inspiring or stressful?
FOMO is to most probably only stressful. But I do understand the sentiment behind YOLO. Because I do believe that we only live once so we shouldn’t hesitate on doing things, because who knows if we’ll have time to do them later. But to use that as an excuse to force ourselves to do things sort of defeats the purpose. Because surely, if we’re only doing things, or buying things, because we think we should, then when will we appreciate them? Shouldn’t our highest possible level of appreciation be our key motivation, especially as we only live once and we don’t know how long we’ll get to stay in this life?
Changing ways
JOMO is popping up as a response to this stress of feeling like you need to be doing everything, now. That there is no time to wait, and subsequently, not much time to look forward to something.
But isn’t the wait, the longing for something, the excitement of planning and looking forward to something, half the joy?
JOMO is the joy of missing out, completely or at the moment. Because not jumping on every trend immediately, doesn’t mean we don’t get to experience. It may just mean we get a chance to save up some money, to get excited about what’s to come, or maybe to think it over and realise it isn’t actually something we want and that we’re better off without it.
A time of slower living
I’m hoping JOMO won’t just be a 2019 trend. Despite the title of this post, I’m hoping it’s not just the year of JOMO, but the era of JOMO that’s ahead of us.
Where we can appreciate what we have, understand what we like, explore what we want, and take the time to take it slow.
This is probably easier with age. I don’t feel I have to be everywhere all the time, and I also don’t have the same energy to be. I’m more comfortable with what I enjoy doing and I don’t feel the urge to try all the latest trends.
Accepting the joy of missing out is a different kind of adventure. It’s potentially not the bungy-jumping, fast and furious kind of adventure, but it’s one of inner adventure. Where you learn to ignore trends and instead listen to what you like, and what you want.
Some may argue that slow and green living is also just a trend, but even if it is, I believe it’s one that can transfer into something more long-lasting. A way of living, more joyfully, over time.