Fomo is the apprehension that there is something wonderful going on somewhere that you could be doing, if only you weren’t where you are now. What if that apprehension could be replaced with appreciation?
We all know the feeling of having worried that we were missing out on something wonderful, only to arrive at an event to be disappointed. We end up feeling engentado, more crowded than comforted, and we can’t wait to get away from the people who surround us to enjoy a little bit of time alone for ourselves.
After the escape, we achieve jomo, the joy of missing out. Jomo is the emotion that comes upon realizing that where you are right now is where you want to be, understanding that the never-ending promises on social media of wonderful other places are almost always filtered, exaggerated, or even downright phony.
Christina Crook writes in the Jomo Manifesto, “We are the ones who will reach out to our loved ones before we reach for our phones. We are the ones who walk our streets with ears and eyes wide open.” It’s inspiring, but just remember, you don’t need to go anywhere or join a movement to experience jomo.
Just
be
as
you
already
are
where
you
already
are.
