Are you suffering from FOMO?

The FOMO phenomenon ("Fear of missing out", either the "fear of missing out" in English) is a syndrome named and popularized in the early 21st century by marketing expert Dan Herman.

This work on this social phobia was published in 2000 in the Journal of Brand Management.

This reflects the fear of missing out on the latest trendy conversation topic, a trending meme on social media, or the latest hit series that all your colleagues are talking about at the coffee machine and that almost encourages you to binge-watch (watching a series in fast motion).

It exists in two facets: on a physical level with the fear of missing events in real life But also the fear of missing information, developed through social networks.

Who is likely to develop FOMO?

This is undoubtedly one of the greatest evils of the 21st century.

This social phobia can affect anyone, but particularly teenagers and young adults.

69% of 20-40 year olds would be affected by FOMO according to a study carried out by EventBrite

This percentage would fall to 20% from the age of 50.

Normal, you might say, Generation Z was born with a phone grafted to their hand.

My niece, who was 7 when I last saw her, knew and loved using TikTok all the time. That's how far we've come from our Barbie days.

The phenomenon even seems to be increasing since the repeated lockdowns of recent years.

So is it a visceral phenomenon or dictated by social pressure?

What are its possible triggers?

• Past experiences may be the cause. Indeed, if some people were rejected or excluded during their childhood, the fear of being left out persists, of missing out, of no longer being appreciated by their friends.

Very often, this fear of missing out on the purchase of the century, the party of the year, the summer trend or the rumor of the day can reveal a fear of loneliness, of exclusion, but also fragile self-esteem.

This is why people who suffer from FOMO tend to say “yes” to everything offered to them and often find themselves overbooked.

• Having too many options: Should I have gone there instead of there? Maybe the other job would have been better? Constantly looking for the best opportunity.

• Always being up-to-date: wanting to know everything at all times, checking news pages and messaging. Being afraid of missing a trend or development.

How does FOMO manifest itself in everyday life?

• Are you always connected to social media even on vacation? During dinner with friends, etc.?
• Do you think about what you are going to post on social media in the evening, on vacation, etc.?

• Do you feel upset or unwell if you can't check social media?

• You end up developing only superficial relationships and drifting away from your friends because you're there without being there, always posting a photo instead of listening to your friend's story. Or another example, taking selfies to show that the weather is nice instead of actually enjoying the sun and the moment.

Physical manifestations

• Stress and anxiety

Being constantly glued to your smartphone can quickly become exhausting.

• Anxiety because you do things not because you want to but to participate in the same activities as others
• Decrease in concentration
• Lack of sleep from wanting to be everywhere all the time
• You tend to compare yourself to others, and inevitably devalue yourself.

How to overcome FOMO?

• Let go

Namely, give yourself moments of disconnection (several apps exist these days to limit your connection time and notifications). I list a few in this article 6 tips for disconnecting during your vacation

• Accept that you can't attend every event, that you're bound to miss some. And that doesn't mean your life is in jeopardy; it won't affect your life.
• Keep a gratitude journal. Take the time to list and savor what you have rather than envy what you don't.
• Live in the present moment

Learn to be satisfied with what you have without wanting to be everywhere at all costs.

Learn to appreciate moments, activities, and achievements without automatically sharing them online

Forget your phone when you are with friends, family and sharing quality time.

So we pull ourselves together and stop wondering if we wouldn't be better off elsewhere.

Enjoy the moment.