What is 'JOMO'? All You Need to Know About the Trend That's Everything Above 'FOMO'

Imagine it’s a Friday night, and your friends are buzzing about the latest hotspot in town, sharing updates, photos, and anecdotes about the thrilling social affair you’ve opted to skip. Rather than succumbing to the pressures of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), you find yourself nestled in the comforting embrace of your favorite armchair, a cup of hot cocoa in hand, and a novel that has been patiently waiting for your attention. Congratulations, you’ve just become part of the JOMO trend—the “Joy Of Missing Out.”

On TikTok, the #JOMO hashtag has skyrocketed to almost 53 million views, where netizens share their preference for spending evenings pampering themselves, reading, cooking, or catching up on some well-deserved sleep. The essence? Disconnect for an evening, dodge social network scrolls, and resist the urge to check your phone for the tiniest notification. This trend is making waves, urging people to unplug, unwind, and bask in the luxury of missing out on the hustle and bustle. It’s a call to exercise the freedom to ignore buzzing notifications, shut down the digital clamor, and revel in the sheer joy of doing absolutely nothing.

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Now, how did JOMO come to life? Conceived by Anil Dash, an American entrepreneur, in a 2012 blog post, it emerged as the antidote to FOMO, the Fear Of Missing Out. Having recently become a father, Dash realised he’d skipped out on a lot in the month following his son’s birth, yet felt no regret. Instead, he described it as a state of pure joy.

And the perks of intentionally missing out? According to the Cleveland Clinic, it can enhance productivity, focus, relationship commitment, and overall emotional and physical well-being.

But don’t confuse JOMO with severing all ties with the outside world. It’s not bidding goodbye to your social life; it’s about being selective with your choices, and attending events that truly matter. As for social media, carve out downtime periods to focus on yourself and recharge those batteries.

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“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,” clarifies Chris Barry, a psychology professor at Washington State University.

So, the next time FOMO creeps in, consider the liberating alternative – JOMO. Embrace the joy of missing out on the noise, and discover the profound satisfaction that comes from relishing the simplicity of downtime. It’s not about disconnecting from the world; it’s about connecting with yourself and finding bliss in the spaces in between.