Over the past few years, the term “FoMO” has become both a part of our vernacular as well as an actual, albeit self-induced, psychological problem. The term is an acronym for “fear of missing out,” and it’s become a new sort of norm due to our constant presence on social media.
If you’ve ever given up Facebook, you may have found that parting with your social media is much harder than you expected. The question of what you may be missing out on can transcend your thoughts, and the almost automatic logging on to the site every time you open your Internet browser can leave you shocked that your actions are so controlled.
That in itself may be the hardest aspect of parting with the beloved social media site. Nothing grounds you more than the realization that you are a slave to something subconsciously.
Getting rid of Facebook may seem like something that can induce this fear of missing out, but in many cases, cleansing yourself of this overuse can actually lead to “JoMO,” which is described as the joy of missing out. It’s kind of like when your phone dies and you are far from home without a charger; you’re not connected, so you’re stressing about the possible incoming texts and calls, but you also feel a sense of peace from your inability to respond.
There are plenty of articles on the web that define the different kinds of Facebook users. There are the folks who are fishing for likes; the lurkers, who don’t really do anything except watch as life unfolds on their newsfeed; those who have more friends than they know what to do with; and, of course, the over-sharers. These are only just a few of the different types, but I’ll leave additional research up to you.
I deleted Facebook in mid-November, and I can say that it was one of my best decisions. Yes, it was hard to suddenly stop sharing articles I thought my friends would appreciate, and it’s gotten difficult staying up to date with things both on and off campus, but I feel more present than ever.
Although it may seem tough and sometimes unnecessary to practice abstinence from certain things, remember that whether it’s for religious purposes (like Lent) or not, you realize more about yourself and your willpower during the journey. You’re much stronger than you think, and there are plenty of things you may be better off without.
