What is FOMO?

FOMO stands for “Fear of Missing Out.” It is the feeling or perception of anxiety that arises when one believes others are having rewarding or enjoyable experiences from which they are absent. This fear is often linked to social media use, where people see curated highlights of others’ lives and feel left out, leading to negative emotions such as loneliness, envy, low self-esteem, and sometimes anxiety or depression. FOMO can make people feel compelled to stay constantly connected with what others are doing to avoid missing out on social interactions, events, or experiences perceived as valuable or exciting.

Psychologically, FOMO is described as a pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences without you, coupled with a desire to remain continually connected online. It has been shown to affect mental health, social functioning, sleep, and productivity, and is considered a problematic attachment to social media.

FOMO is a modern social anxiety mostly fueled by technology and social media, where the fear of exclusion and missing out on rewarding experiences drives compulsive checking and engagement behaviors.

FOMO stands for “Fear of Missing Out.” It’s the anxious feeling or worry that you’re missing out on something exciting, interesting, or rewarding that others are experiencing. This could be related to social events, trends, opportunities, or even investments.

Some key points about FOMO:

• Social aspect: Often triggered by seeing what others are doing on social media.

• Behavioral impact: Can make people overcommit, check their phones constantly, or make impulsive decisions.

• Emotional impact: Can lead to anxiety, dissatisfaction, or feelings of inadequacy.

It’s basically your brain’s way of saying: “Maybe I’m missing something better somewhere else.”

The acronym FOMO stands for the Fear of Missing Out.

It’s a pervasive feeling or apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent. Essentially, it’s the feeling that you’re missing out on something important, exciting, or beneficial that others are participating in.

Key Characteristics

• A desire to stay continually connected: People experiencing FOMO feel a need to constantly check social media, texts, and updates to ensure they aren’t missing any social engagements, news, or opportunities.
• A contrast between one’s own experiences and others’ curated lives: Social media platforms often fuel FOMO by presenting idealized, highly selective versions of people’s lives (e.g., exciting vacations, successful careers, fun parties). When someone compares their own reality to this highlight reel, it can trigger the feeling of inadequacy or being left out.
• The feeling of anxiety and restlessness: This fear can manifest as genuine anxiety, often leading to poor decision-making (like agreeing to too many commitments) or an inability to focus on the present.

The Rise of FOMO

While the basic fear of being excluded is a fundamental human emotion, the term and the experience have become far more prevalent with the rise of social media and ubiquitous connectivity. Because information about what everyone else is doing is constantly available, the opportunities to feel like you’re missing out have multiplied exponentially.

Is there an opposite?

Yes, there is a concept often cited as the opposite of FOMO: JOMO, which stands for the Joy of Missing Out.

JOMO is the contented feeling of enjoying one’s current activities and embracing the chance to disconnect and step away from the constant pressure to be available, informed, and involved. It’s about consciously choosing to prioritize one’s own well-being over social expectations.

FOMO stands for “Fear of Missing Out.” It’s the anxiety or apprehension people feel when they believe they might be missing out on exciting experiences, opportunities, or events that others are enjoying. This feeling is often triggered by social media, where people see others sharing highlights of their lives, leading to a sense of being left out or not keeping up. For example, seeing friends post about a party you weren’t invited to might spark FOMO. The term is widely used in psychology, marketing, and pop culture to describe this modern social phenomenon.