"Fear of missing out, or FOMO, is a common sensation in our high-pressure, social media-frenzied world, particularly in Western society. A recent study defined FOMO as, "the uneasy and sometimes all-consuming feeling that you're missing out - that your peers are doing, in the know about, or in possession of more or something better than you." Under these terms, nearly 75 percent of young adults reported experiencing the phenomenon. So what exactly are we so afraid we're missing out on? The endless array of opportunities that present themselves in our day-to-day lives, from activities with friends and family, to invitations to upgrade our technology and boost our livelihoods all contribute. But while fear of missing out may be presented under the guise of a pressure to keep up, it often stems from a deeper unhappiness." Writer Emily Barr shares more about this phenomenon, and suggests an antidote -- cultivating a relationship to the joy of missing out.
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