GOMO TO END FOMO
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
The greatest fear is fear itself, Franklin Roosevelt said. In this fast paced digitalized world we are cocooned in this 21st century, I wonder what a person may fear.
Of course we all know what FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) means, right? - it is the familiar rise of anxiety in your chest when you log in to your most cherished form of social media, the compulsion of checking your Facebook account 100+ times a day.
It's when you just had a long week at work and can't wait to watch Game of Thrones in your undies and munch on Lay's as much as you can, but after seeing your friends' Instagram posts about that new hip restaurant or #wanderlust, your weekend plans seem to immediately dull in comparison and force yourself to go out to take selfies at a bar and post it in Facebook right away, #workhardpartyharder. Sounds familiar? After all, how would we all be if our pals or crush or frenemies won't know what we did last weekend?
"That doesn't have an effect on me!" you tell yourself, of course you do! Remember the Mcdonald's commercial? You don't hate it, you just don't like it. And yet, because of several times you have unintentionally heard it, you caught yourself singing along. FOMO works that way.
You fear that people would label you as "boring". So even out of your well-thought-out-budget, you splurge on food, clothes and travels just so you could keep up with the steep game of Instagram.
"We all get caught up in striving for the approval of others."
"We all get caught up in striving for the approval of others."
So how do we end FOMO? Do we need to uninstall all our social media accounts??
NO!!
FOMO is arguably one of the negative effects of the digital age. But, it can serve you well too. Isn't it much easier now to connect with family members who work abroad or you don't live with? I know, it's more fun now to chat with your friends in Facebook group chat. And didn't you realize your passion for photography when you installed Instagram?
See, social media or any mobile app is just a tool. You are the user. It can serve value to your life if you use it well.
GOMO! Go Out More Often!! That's how you end FOMO!!
By GOMO, I mean really living in the moment. Do what you want without seeking other people's approval, without begging for "Likes and double-tap". Fine, take pictures and post them online but never go out just so you could take good pictures to brag online. Go out there! See what this big world has to offer.
"But I don't know where to go or what to do." I used to tell myself. Until I discovered a very helpful website. I am taking advantage of the use of this website which hosts all the events in your locale. Imagine a single website where you can check all the upcoming events: concert, art exhibit, sports and wellness, classes and workshops, networking, etc. Yeah, amazing right!
YES!! I am talking about Eventbrite...
Eventbrite is a global marketplace for live experiences that allows people to find and create events in 190 countries. The platform allows event organizers to plan, promote, and sell tickets to events and publish them across Facebook, Twitter and other social-networking tools directly from the site's interface. It also enables attendees to find and purchase tickets to these experiences.
There, you already have an additional tool to help you discover exciting events and places. So pack your courage and wear your excitement. What is life without a little adventure?!
Xoxo, TNM
38 comments
I had the same problem, FOMO. Now I'll work hard to GOMO. And Eventbrite seems interesting, I'll check that out. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGOMO! See what the big world has to offer! :)
DeleteIt's just amazing how your writing could move people! You have brushed my life indeed. I'll GOMO at all costs now. And I can already see the headlines! Toodles . . .
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks Dana! People like you inspire me to keep trying. :)
DeleteFOMO in me was out when I arrived here in Manila. Good to know you found an athlete that'll help others how to get rid of that FOMO Effect. Cheers. ����
ReplyDeleteMe too! I arrived here in Manila 4 years ago and had the same problem. But, GOMO helped me. Thanks for reading Wandercez :)
DeleteInteresting read. Will make sure to #GOMOnotFOMO hahaha thanks for sharing your refreshing thoughts :)
ReplyDeleteThis big world has a lot to offer, so let's #GOMO! Thanks Niks!
DeleteI loooove your photos, I have that app but has not been maximizing it (used it once, never uninstalled), I'l def check it out now!
ReplyDeleteThanks Em! Me too, I learned it's value only after attending a writing workshop recommended by Eventbrite. Check the current events nearby your place! :)
DeleteHi there! I had no idea what the meaning "FOMO" was until I read your blog. Interesting point you made there, sometimes people get caught up in peoples approval. I often have to remind myself to live in the moment because in the end it is only me that can create happiness for myself.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! Thank you
That's lesson learned for me. Now, I strive harder to be my true self at all times and live in the moment. Thanks for reading Suzanne! Let's keep on creating our happiness! Cheers! Xoxo
DeleteHey I have used Eventbrite before going to several parties back in San Francisco, California! It really is a fun experience to get invited to events in it as you get to see many new things and meet many new people! I have definitely been doing GOMO lately! I cannot just stay put in a place! I always need to be on the go and exploring this great big world around us!
ReplyDeleteyeah! Eventbrite made my life easier! It has made me aware of the things going on around my place. yes! let's GOMO! The big world has a lot to offer! Thanks for reading Yrwin!
DeleteI decided to GOMO, too. So thanks for the Eventbrite suggestion. I checked it out and immediately signed up for an event this saturday :D
ReplyDeleteWow! That's fast Jeffrey! :) I love eventbrite! It's making my life easier! :)
DeleteGOMO to satisfy myself and not others! haha But I've been looking for an Events website for the longest time. Finally found it in your blog. Thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteYes! Choose yourself first Relyn. haha! Glad to help :)
DeleteGOMO for the win!!!! LOve it!!
ReplyDeleteYayyy! Thanks Marla! :)
DeleteAt first, I was like... What's GOMO and FOMO? And there, the answer is in the article itself. I certainly agree on GOMO. and do it by learning and appreciating things not for bragging.
ReplyDeleteLet's keep on learning Zwitsy! Thanks for reading :)
DeleteI don't have FOMO on the trends and whatnots, but I do have FOMO on the experiences that I should be doing while I'm still young and able. So, GOMO, indeed! I came across Eventbrite for an event way back, and it is indeed a good place to discover places and events I can go to nearby. Thank you! I'm all caught up with my acronyms now. Hahaha :)
ReplyDeleteMe too! Sometimes I'm pressured by own time line. But by GOMO I continue to learn to just enjoy and live in the moment. Hahaha! those acronyms.. Xoxo Lea!
DeleteOooooh! It's my first time to encounter an events-based blog! Yehey! Will check out eventbrite as soon as I am able to dish things up! Let's GOMO! Thanks for adding new words to my blog vocabulary! Hehehe! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it Aldrick! I just learned those words a couple of days ago. haha!
DeleteI love FOMO and GOMO. I love that you know how to step back. With that attitude, it will be easy for you to find yourself in this big terrain of blogging. Xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Trisha! I am looking forward to learning from you. See you soon! Xoxo.
DeleteI didn't know what FOMO or GOMO meant until now haha... I guess we all go through that phase once in our lives, but the important thing is to change your mindset. The only competition you should have is with yourself not with anyone else.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it's also the first time I've heard of Eventbrite. I will check it out.
Right right! We are our own critics. We don't need approval from others but from ourselves only. Thanks for reading Marjorie! :)
DeleteI'veused EventBrite in many of the events I've attended. It's very convenient :)
ReplyDeleteairinaapril.blogspot.com
I find it very helpful too, Airina!
DeleteFirst time to hear FOMO and first time to hear GOMO. Now I have these words to GOMO. Interesting!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Thanks for reading Ferna! :)
DeleteFirst time to hear FOMO and first time to hear GOMO. Now I have these words to GOMO. Interesting!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Thanks for reading Ferna! :)
DeleteI agree. Social media has made a lot of people depend on it for validation. Which should certainly not be the case. I do digital detox every now and then and just be with myself or go out with friends. And when I travel, i try as much as possible to not post anything or check on my social media to just immerse myself in the moment.
ReplyDeleteI agree! I've recently started my journey towards minimalism, it's helped me redefine my purpose in life. I would it if you could write about your digital detox Darlene. Thanks for reading :)
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