For instance, reading about a new book or hearing praises for the book from friends means he might buy it almost instantly. For Miller, it’s a way to give in a little to FOMO without sacrificing his budget. “I don’t buy most things immediately, but I sometimes do it for inexpensive things,” he adds. For some people, spending money is a symptom of a deeper emotional need, explains Dr. Hargrove. For instance, someone who always wants to book another pricey vacation may actually be craving time to disconnect from work and hang out with family.
The term FOMO, short for ‘Fear of Missing Out,’ has rapidly become a ubiquitous part of modern slang, particularly among younger social media users. This psychological phenomenon describes the anxiety that arises when an individual feels they are missing out on experiences, opportunities, or social interactions that others are enjoying. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the definition of FOMO, its implications in today’s society, and how it affects our decision-making and mental health. FOMO doesn’t only affect individuals on a personal level. Businesses have leveraged this phenomenon to drive sales and engagement. Limited-time offers, exclusive deals, and countdown timers are commonly used strategies that capitalize on consumers’ fear of missing out.
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- The fear of missing out can harbor stress, anxiety, and in severe cases, lead to depression.
- FOMO is simply an acronym for “fear of missing out.” It’s a term that’s used to describe the anxiety of missing out on opportunities.
- For most of it, FOMO can be a detrimental reaction to change.
- While the origin of the word itself is not clear, it is unlikely that FOMO is a derived word or a popular typo.
- A study conducted by the California State University found that students with high levels of FOMO were more likely to use their phones during lectures, negatively impacting their academic performance.
To feel FOMO, you must constantly be consuming and internalizing popular culture. Firstly, pop culture, as a whole, does not resonate with everyone. You’re only attracted to things that interest you or are relatable in any manner.
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McGinnis was in fact unaware of FOMO as his practical theory was all about the FOBO. But, he did set a reliable branch of understanding into the FOMO. The fear of having better options is invariably the same fear of missing out on those options. For marketers, creators, and even platforms, FOMO is a powerful behavior driver. Users keep checking how to apply for visa card updates, watching Stories, and clicking on “Only 2 left!
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- But, he did set a reliable branch of understanding into the FOMO.
- But FOMO is sometimes used to describe the fear of missing professional or “life” opportunities, like getting a degree, retiring before your 70th birthday, buying into stocks, or getting a promotion.
- He adds if he sees the item again and it evokes the same strong emotion, he typically buys it.
- If FOMO is causing significant distress, seeking help from a mental health professional can be beneficial.
- It is a feeling of anxiety or unease that stems from the fear of being left out or not being included in something enjoyable.
In other words, FoMO is that feeling of unease you get when you know you friends are doing something, know about something, or own something you don’t. Excessive social media use can often heighten feelings of FOMO. By limiting usage and taking designated breaks from social media, the effects of FOMO can be significantly reduced.
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In one 2013 study, a group of psychologists defined FoMO simply as “a pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent.” FoMO is an acronym used to refer to the fear of missing out. Wanting what someone else has caused FOMO for San application development in the cloud Francisco software engineer Michael Miller, 27.
Find out the real meanings behind your favorite emojis with our Gen Z and Alpha emoji guide. You might also approach this exercise as a gratitude practice. Sure, your life isn’t like those supposedly perfect lives you see online (and neither are they!), but you have a lot of great things going for you, too.
It is characterized by a constant need to stay connected and be involved in the activities and events happening around them. FOMO may be an internet slang, but the underlying inferiority stemming from the fear of missing out on things that may or may not be for us is damaging. It’s one thing to feel like you’re missing out on a party you willfully disagreed to attend and it’s completely different to feel the same but when you’re under a mental/physical condition. FOMO is an acronym for “Fear Of Missing Out.” It’s that nervous feeling you get when you suspect everyone else is having a better time without you.
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There were no current studies which link patients who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with FoMO. However, it will be of interest to study children and adolescents with hyperactivity and inattention who already have delayed myelination in prefrontal cortex49. It could be a reasonable hypothesis based on the recent evidence, that these patients would be more vulnerable to FoMO.
FOMO Definition Slang: Understanding the Fear of Missing Out
This can significantly affect students’ ability to absorb and retain information, leading to lower academic performance. Reducing time spent on social media can help lessen feelings of FOMO. By limiting exposure to the lives of others, individuals can focus more on their own experiences and feelings. Particularly on social media platforms, people may see others’ posts and feel anxious about what they are unable to do or participate in at how to create a crypto exchange that moment. This can lead people to feel compelled to participate in social events, invitations or trends for fear of missing out, and to compare their lives to others’.
For some people, FOMO is just a specific brand of anxiety. Studies show that social media and anxiety have a tight relationship. One study of young adults in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that the more time they spent on social media, the more likely they were to have symptoms of anxiety. Furthering that, a study in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking found that people who have depression or anxiety tend to spend more time on social media. The more time you spend, the more depressed or anxious you feel. You can get FOMO in lots of different situations – both online and off.
You feel bummed out and even a little bit embarrassed or ashamed that you’re not up to anything at all on this lazy Sunday. Other descriptions of ROMO have said it’s about seeing the reality of the things you’re missing out on. Meaning, what you see online never paints a full picture of what’s really happening. The opposite of FOMO, it’s the freedom and happiness you get from doing whatever you want without concern for what other people are doing somewhere else.
