5: Embrace JOMO
For my most significant Non-Negotiable of 2024, I plan to let go of FOMO for good and genuinely embrace JOMO: Joy of Missing Out. This is something that’s been creeping up on me as I get older, and with respect to Nirvana, I have no apologies. I no longer fear not being part of everything or anything. Instead, I want to enjoy time with those I’m with, or when I’m alone, truly embrace silence. If I’m successful, 2024 is when I leave social media behind, leave people who drain my energy behind, leave habits that no longer serve me, and replace them all with the joy of being where I am and who I am.
The Washington Post’s resident neuroscientist and Brain Matters columnist Richard Sima writes that JOMO can feel rejuvenating because it helps us stop being preoccupied with other people. He says that while FOMO is a normal human condition that existed long before social media, intentionally creating periods of disconnection can help people recharge. Those who purposely stepped away from social media, the article states, had higher psychological well-being than those who didn’t, something I’ve personally experienced.
As the 2024 Calendar unfurls its pages before me, I’m diving into a year fueled by more movement, mindful sips of water over my cherished coffee, a daily rendezvous with meditation, and the real game-changer: Embracing JOMO. This isn't just about skipping the small stuff; it's a pledge to be present, relishing the beauty of everyday simplicity, and creating a life authentically mine. So, here's to a year of intentional joy, gratitude, and finding delight in the art of missing out – because sometimes, the most profound moments are the ones we deliberately choose. I hope your 2024 is full of a non-negotiable list of things that bring you joy and peace, and I hope to see you IRL this year.
Photo Credit Jacqueline Munguia