Have you ever felt the urge to switch off from social media and put the brakes on going out for a while? If so, you could be ready to indulge in a little JOMO.
This acronym, which stands for the “joy of missing out”, represents the idea of finding happiness and satisfaction in missing or not taking part in certain activities, taking a step back from social events, and enjoying time alone or in a quieter way.
On TikTok, where the hashtag #JOMO has amassed almost 53 million views, internet users explain that they prefer to spend cozy evenings taking care of themselves, reading, cooking or sleeping. The idea is to disconnect for an evening from social networks and avoid checking your phone for the slightest notification.
The term was theorised by Anil Dash, an American entrepreneur, in an article posted on his blog in 2012, in opposition to FOMO – the fear of missing out on something (news, an event, etc.).
According to the Cleveland Clinic, this pleasure of intentionally missing out on something can have a number of benefits, such as increasing productivity and concentration, commitment to relationships, and improving emotional and physical wellbeing.
But JOMO, which is related to ROMO or the “relief of missing out”, doesn’t mean cutting all ties with the outside world and saying goodbye to your social life. Instead of always saying yes to the slightest social occasion, you can be more selective and choose the events you really want to attend.
As for social networks, you can define periods of downtime in order to focus on yourself and recharge your batteries.
“Social connection is healthy, and social media, for its many flaws and foibles, provides a means for connection. JOMO is not about eschewing those connections entirely or self-isolating from others,” Chris Barry, a psychology professor at Washington State University, told the Washington Post.
As such, it certainly doesn’t mean one has to lead a JOMO life 24/7.
“If there’s a downside, it’s that FOMO can often be a motivator for you to step out of your comfort zone and explore new things,” psychologist Susan Albers told Cleveland Clinic. “Seeing what other people are doing can give you new ideas that you wouldn’t have thought of.”