A lot of introverts don’t know how to deal with FOMO. This is a common phenomenon that is real and could cause significant stress in an introvert’s life. It is known as the “fear of missing out” or FOMO for short.
So the question is, where does FOMO originate from? Where does it come from? Who is at risk of having it? And what is the key to managing FOMO? This article will try to answer these questions and more. But first, let us do a little history to see what FOMO is and how it became a common phenomenon.
What FOMO is
Well like the name suggests, it is the fear of missing out. This refers to the perception or feeling that your friends and family are having better lives, better experiences, or more fun than you do.
This feeling usually brings feelings of envy and also affects their self-esteem. Also, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have played a huge role in this regard, only exacerbating the feeling.
FOMO makes the sufferer feel that they are supposed to be doing something better with their lives. They feel that others are having better experiences in their lives without them.
It could apply to anything, from a party you weren’t invited to or a work promotion. The helplessness and the feeling of missing out on something big are always there.
Origins of FOMO
The feeling of missing out on a good time is not a recent development. It has been around for most of human history. However, during the last decade, there had been increased studies in this field.
The rise of mass media and social media platforms has made FOMO become a more pronounced part of society. One of the ways it gives off this feeling is by providing a situation where people can compare their regular lives with a fraction of other people’s lives.
Furthermore, by letting people compare their lives with the highlight of others, it may seem to skew someone’s senses. It can make a person to think that they are doing worse than their peers.
For instance, Instagram lets you see a detailed photo of your friends having a fun time without you and you begin to feel left out. People in the 8th century didn’t have that kind of access so they wouldn’t feel bad about it.
How does FOMO affect introverts?
It is common knowledge that introverts like to gravitate towards solitude, trying to spend quality time recharging. However, that puts them in a set of unique situations when it comes to having FOMO. But they also suffer from the fear of missing out.
The problem is when their friends get used to them not wanting to spend much time outside, this may lead the friends to decide to hang out without inviting their introverted friends, and social media is there to remind them of what they are missing out on.
The pressure is always there. It screams that society seems to always reward extroverts for their outspoken social behavior, thereby making a lot of introverts wrongly think that true happiness comes from always being around people.
That is why it’s common for an introvert to wish to be more extroverted but hardly will you find an extrovert worried that he/she has to handle so many people constantly. Of course, this isn’t helped by the media that constantly shows happy groups of people all the time.
The introvert’s way is a bit subtle. They like spending time alone to reflect and recharge. When they do spend time with people, they want it to be with those with whom they have a close deep relationship. After all, the introvert aims to make deep, rooted, and intentional friendships.
The lack of wanting to spend much time with large groups of people to have fun is what brings the real difference when it comes to FOMO. They have guilt not just because they seem to be missing out but because of not wanting to spend time with the big group and still not wanting to miss out.
So even if introverts desire to be alone, they also wish they can have the energy to hang out with people for as long as they want. So they feel the paradox of not wanting to meet a large group, not wanting to make a planned outing, and even when sitting at home, not wanting to miss out. They just don’t know how to deal with FOMO and strike a balance.
How To Deal With FOMO As An Introvert
There are a lot of areas that combine to make a person feel left out, similarly, they will be a lot of factors to consider and practice if you wish to deal with FOMO as an introvert.
The illusion that FOMO presents to introverts is that relationship posts made on social media by extroverts mean they have a lot of close friends. But as we know that isn’t usually the case.
However, these unrealistic conclusions drawn up because of FOMO can be beaten. To do that, introverts have to accept the way their brains are wired. This means they need to follow these five ways to manage FOMO as an introvert.
- Put social media in the right perspective:
This means you have to pick and choose which platform you are comfortable with exposing yourself to. Some introverts have a lot of extroverted friends and they always show something new on their news feed.
When they noticed that they had begun falling into the FOMO, they promptly decided to unfollow them. If you fall into this category, you should consider you following them too. It is a very effective strategy when dealing with FOMO. But if this sounds too extreme for you still want to maintain contact with them, you can try hiding their post if it’s on Facebook.
The most important thing to note is that social media posts do not give an accurate description of one’s life. So all those parties, weddings, and vacations you see on these platforms are only special occasions that can occur in anyone’s life including yours.
- Focus on what is right in front of you
This is a very good way to manage FOMO when it tries to convince you that you are missing out. Why? Because FOMO pulls you out of the present and makes you lose focus on what you have, worrying about your future. So to avoid this, take time to notice how delightful your present life is.
- Deal with FOMO by being grateful
This means that you need to constantly express gratitude for what you already have with the ones you care about. As an introvert thinks of the things that give you joy and the fun memories you already have.
Try to write down what and who is important to you and keep it close to your heart. Making gratitude a regular practice you can do this by writing three things you are grateful for each day, no matter the size of such things. That way you will train yourself you appreciate your life and not look down on yourself.
- Be reasonable
It is a good thing if you feel stimulated and you go to an event, you need to trust yourself when you need to do things. Why? Because whenever FOMO does decide to creep in and convince you that when you aren’t at a party you will miss the fun, you can stop back and think about the last time you went out. Then ask questions like what will happen if I stay? Or what will happen when I leave?
- Focus on your close relationships
It means that you have to pay attention to the people you are close to. So try to spend time with the people you’ve chosen to be your friends, and surround yourself with them.
Although FOMO tries to make introverts feel relationally challenged, the truth is that there is no such thing. So as an introvert, feel free to let your friends know how much you cherish them. So go ahead and give them social media shout-outs. Make small talk with strangers and connect with them as well. You may never know who you can make as a friend.
However, introverts need to remember that just because they prefer to be around fewer people doesn’t mean they are less important when compared to the nature of extroverts. Therefore introverts should work to their strengths and know their limits. You can discover what you are good at and what you enjoy when you spend time on pleasurable activities.
Final words
Introverts have a constant struggle when managing FOMO. It is a private battle that you face to decide whether to go out or whether to stay indoors and feel bad that your friends are having fun even though you want to stay indoors. So be mindful of what you see on social media, and practice ways that can help you to deal with FOMO as an introvert.
