FOMO or ROMO? This fear is different, but it is real. Let’s see how to handle it
Lockdown, corona, covid19, pandemic, new normal are the terms we are hearing a lot these days. By now, we all have gotten accustomed to our new routine. On one hand, we are trying to utilize our time effectively. But on the other hand, we are desperately waiting to meet our friends and family. This is a stressful situation, and we are not used to this type of lifestyle. We want to be surrounded by people; we want to exchange thoughts and emotions. Many of you must have heard or read articles/talks on mental health. It’s true that if this keeps going, then it will affect our mental health.
Earlier for this blog train, I was thinking of sharing some story, but then I felt we have enough, or should I say more than enough stories that we hear every day, so why should I add mine to it? Please don’t take me wrong. I know we get inspirations from others by listening to those stories and how they have handled tough times. But at this time, I want you to take away something else from my writing. I want you to feel positive. I want to talk about a term that has emerged with a bang lately. And that is FOMO. Yes, FOMO meaning feeling of missing out. Usually, we use it when there is so much going on around us, and we feel scared that we should fall short of something or miss out on things that others know or do. Or maybe my friends are having fun without me. In simple words then FOMO is a fear of being left out.
Now, today, that fear is still there. When each one of us is handling the situation in their way, is the stress even there that are we missing out? This time the fear is different, but it is real. Shall we call it ROMO – the reality of missing out? Does that mean that the reasons for FOMO (for example, social-media sharing of vacation and concert photos) have evaporated?
No partying, no restaurant, no movies. Is that can be called as a silver lining of lockdown? What to wear, where to go for dinner, what to cook for guests? We have a little control over that question — besides staying inside, virtually checking in on loved ones, and working to make sure readers get the best information to keep them safe — some of the weight is, paradoxically, lifted. But I know we want those questions back in our lives. Isn’t that correct?
As I said, we are a social being, and we want to be with people. Today what is happening is just opposite of this. When the fear of missing out on special occasions or feeling of left out has taken a pause, then feeling of missing out on what others are doing during lockdown has taken its place. Friends are posting about all of the activities they are doing at home, all the new hobbies they have taken up, and all of the things they are accomplishing, and I feel like I need to keep up.
Now, how to handle FOMO?
There are no right or wrong answers for this – follow your intuitive nudges and stay radically aware of your personal needs, so you are connected with yourself and are less distracted by others or social media. Take it day-by-day but use this time to double down on your values, desires, and redefining your own needs and goals.
- I will win over this situation
- Know your limitations
- Set small goals
- Don’t compare yourself with others
Life has been placed on pause indefinitely for the majority of people right now. But in the meantime, while we are alone, the other thing that we have to do is build a relationship with ourselves. When we come in contact with people, the stronger relationship we have with ourselves, the more we will have to offer. And remembering one thing that just because we are not able to do. Few things today, that doesn’t mean that we will not be able to do it later.
The Blog train THE PANDEMIC THAT CHANGED OUR LIFE UPSIDE DOWN initiated by blogger Ila Varma to bring the bloggers together to share numerous experiences of #pandemiclockdown2020. This was my fraction in this blog train. I would like to thanks Surbhi for giving us a wonderful reading option through her post. And now lets see what Vidya has to share from her experiences during pandemic lockdown. You can read her post here.
