JOMO: JOY OF MISSING OUT A MINDFUL WAY TO THRIVE

Written by: Muhammad Andhika Ferdiansyah - Content & Activation Support at TechConnect

image source: Ajnoppen (Pinterest)

In this digital era, we often feel pressured to do “more”. From chasing the latest sports trends, attending social gatherings, visiting viral hangout spots, and constantly creating or consuming trending content on social media, it could be really exhausting.

And that’s where JOMO comes in, the Joy of Missing Out. It’s a refreshing mindset that celebrates choosing peace over pressure. JOMO is about being genuinely happy not following every trend. Instead, it’s about enjoying the moment, feeling calm, and having more time to focus on personal growth rather than thinking about something else that triggers social anxiety.

By embracing JOMO in our life, you will gain clarity, reclaim your time, and get in touch with your true self. It allows you to focus on what really matters, such as your career, education, health, or even just your hobbies that make you happy. You don’t have to wait for the weekend or a special occasion to live meaningfully. You can start any day, any time, on your own terms.

Unlike FOMO, Fear of Missing Out, which triggers anxiety and comparison, JOMO gives you freedom. It’s a form of reminder that fulfillment doesn’t come from doing what everyone else is doing. Instead, it comes from doing what feels right for you.

• EMBRACE TECH-FREE TIME

Take a break from social media to focus on yourself in the real world, such as doing positive social activities, gathering with family and close friends, and exercising to become healthier.

• SET BOUNDARIES

Try to filter out things that you think are not “that” important, so you can be more selective in doing something that can have a better impact on yourself.

• IT'S OKAY TO SAY NO

It ​​doesn't matter if you prioritize yourself more, you have the right to choose because the most important thing is your peace, your progress, and your happiness.

Training your JOMO mindset could take a lot of time, patience, and intention, but trust me it’s worth it. Here are a few small steps to build your JOMO muscle:

• ACTIVATE DO NOT DISTURB (DND) MODE

You have the right not to be disturbed, for example on weekends or holidays so that you can focus more on productive days. That way, you have reduced the “noise” in your life so that you can be fully “present”.

• SAY NO WITHOUT OVER-EXPLANATION

You don’t owe anyone a detailed reason to maintain your positive energy. Whether it’s an event or a group chat, if you don’t think it’s useful, it’s okay to say no. Giving a polite refusal is also enough.

• FIND JOY IN SIMPLE THINGS

With JOMO, you can see the beauty of “slow living” again, such as enjoying coffee in the afternoon, going on vacation without thinking about the contents of your phone, or as easy as enjoying a good night’s sleep.

Having JOMO in our life means creating a space, space for yourself to breathe, reflect, and reconnect. It’s not about missing out, it’s about getting our own tone of life. Which follows in professional world, you can build your boundaries in your workplace nor with your coworkers to create a positive work environment, such as knowing that we don’t need to match on everyone’s pace, choosing to skip after work hangouts, and resisting the pressure to “always be on” especially after work hours.

At the end of the day, JOMO is about choosing what matters most to you. It’s not about missing out, it’s about making space for peace, focus, and real happiness. Whether in your personal life or at work, you don’t need to follow every trend or say yes to everything.

By slowing down, setting boundaries, and enjoying the present moment, you’ll feel more in control, less stressed, and more connected to yourself. So, how do you practice your own JOMO? Tell us your version and start inspiring others to slow down, thrive, and enjoy life!

Reference:

Nash Jo. 2023. Embracing JOMO: Finding Joy in Missing Out. Retrieved on https://positivepsychology.com/jomo-joy-of-missing-out/.