F.O.M.O: The Fear of Missing Out. FOMO refers to the feeling that others are having better experiences and more fun than you. Maybe this sounds familiar. For some teenagers, the worry that someone else is having an experience that they are not is a constant in their life. For others, they don’t worry about “missing out.” 

FOMO is a familiar feeling among the students at Perry. “I have a little bit of FOMO. I guess it just depends on the situation. If I had to miss Homecoming…I would be kind of sad. It’s a big event that everyone goes to,” said senior Autumn Kunze. 

Other students do not struggle with FOMO. “I do not have FOMO. Those kinds of things are not important to me. I spent last Saturday [Homecoming] at home in my room by myself, and I felt amazing,” said senior Amanda Gummow. 

Many studies point to the fact that FOMO in teenagers may be driven by social media and the highlight reel that is always present. However, that is not always the case. “My FOMO is caused by internal pressures. I don’t think that social media pressures me at all,” said Kunze. 

How does one not feel pressured by FOMO? Well, American blogger Anil Dash coined the phrase “JOMO,” which stands for “Joy of Missing Out.” So embrace the idea of JOMO and embrace the present. Recognize that there will always be more opportunities to do something else later, and that what is happening in the present is important. FOMO can create a disconnection from one’s current surroundings. 

Another way to deal with FOMO is to look at the big picture. High school is important, but it does not last forever. Keeping in mind that high school is temporary, and whatever social pressures to fit in that students face are temporary too, it can help block the flow of FOMO. 

It is challenging to balance having a social life while not obsessing about having the same experiences that everyone else is having, and that is where FOMO stems from. But just because it is challenging does not mean it is impossible. So this Halloween season, do not worry about going to the biggest and best parties if that is not what you are interested in; celebrate in a way that you can enjoy.