JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) has been a thing for a few years now, but it hasn’t really begun to take off much until this year. As people begin to see how overrated FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is, and as the term itself becomes a bit of a silly and self-deprecating meme, people are replacing their fear with happiness and their social media updates with screen-free times.

Of course, it is easier said than done to decline an invite to a party, or to feel no anxiety when you see a snap of your friends having fun. But sometimes, the best way to begin actually enjoying yourself and your life is to just say no – and be totally okay with it.

Here are 4 reasons to remind you why JOMO can ultimately make you happier:

1.Take back control of your time and your happiness
Instead of being easily swayed by your newsfeed encouraging you to do something else, take personal time and empower yourself. By taking control, you enjoy the present, relish in the moment, and allow yourself to remember that if you want to be alone, not go out, be where you are now, then that is okay and you should stay present in that moment for as long as you want. That way, when you do say yes to engagements, you are doing so because you want to, not because you feel like you need to for your own happiness.

1.Gives you a moment to reset
Let’s face it: it is hard to always be “on” and the best version of yourself. Going to every event or feeling inadequate while looking at your friend’s Instagram is not going to help you recharge. Moments of solo-time or self-care let you relax, reflect, and reboot.

Sometimes it can be hard to recognize when you need to do that, but think about it: when you feel like something may be a little “off” or that you are doing something for reasons based out of FOMO, then that may be the best time to take a timeout.

1.Lets you learn to be alone
It is harder and harder to be alone these days, especially just being okay being by ourselves. This sort of discomfort is something that a lot of us try and avoid. But by practicing being okay being alone, we strengthen our ability to make ourselves happy, thus making us less lonely. If you find it hard to do this, try making a list of all of your favorite activities to do alone, so that next time you find yourself needing a night of JOMO, you have some ideas handy.

1.Helps you be more creative
A night of not going out gives you a chance to pursue a creative endeavor or a project you may have put on the backburner. Creating something, or just taking a little time to strengthen your skills, increases joy, happiness, and appreciation for the present moment and all that you can do.

Published on Jan 24 09 : 00 am