Lianna Holston: FOMO

Urban Dictionary describes FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) as “the fear that if you miss a party or event you will miss out on something great.” I would describe FOMO as “some bullshit.” Here’s why:

There are many different types of FOMO, ready to strike at any moment, each more emotionally exhausting than the next.

Party FOMO

You went to that party on Saturday? Shit I should have gone it was probably so life changing like I will never have a weekend as good as the weekend you had this past weekend ugh why didn’t I go out I missed a mediocre DJ play a song I have heard a million times in a sweaty house surrounded by drunk people I don’t know well literally that is the peak of human existence I can’t believe I missed it.

Crush FOMO

Well I’m going to this thing because my roommate’s friend said this cute guy that I like was in that building last Tuesday so I’m just gonna set up camp there in case he comes back ever again in his life because wow he is handsome and I can’t afford to miss an opportunity to progress our non-existent relationship via fleeting eye contact and no other form of interaction.

I *sprinted* to get into this photo

Friend group FOMO

You guys ran into each other at the bookstore and ended up getting coffee together because you were both heading in that direction anyway? Where the fuck was my invite!

Group text FOMO

You started a group text to talk about a project for a class that I’m not in? But what if you come up with an inside joke during that group chat and it changes the dynamics of our friendship forever!

Extracurricular FOMO

Ugh I can’t go to Running Club because I have rehearsal but then opening night is the same night as the in-house draw for the White House and I can’t feasibly do any of these so I’m just gonna sign up for all of them.

Facebook FOMO

WAIT DON’T TAKE THE PICTURE YET LET ME GET IN IT HOLD ON IS MY HAIR OK I NEED MY FACEBOOK FRIENDS TO SEE A CAREFULLY CRAFTED & HEAVILY EDITED VERSION OF MY LIFE ok I’m ready *poses*

And this one

Netflix FOMO

You watched that show? What season is it in? Seven? Don’t say anything!!! I’m thinking about starting Season 1 Episode 1 soon and I don’t want to hear ANY spoilers at all!

Food FOMO

There are brownies in the kitchenette? But I’m at the opposite end of campus in the middle of an important presentation! Can you save me, like, seven? I just like haven’t eaten since dinner and I’m not sure how late I’ll be up working on this paper so actually yeah maybe just grab me a whole tray?

Travel FOMO

Oh shit you went to the beach this weekend? FUCK. Like I literally couldn’t have because I was actually out of town myself at this really important conference for my thesis but damn I would have never signed up for it had I known you were going to take an unplanned trip to the beach on a kind of cloudy day because that sounds like so much fun and I just feel like I missed so much!!!

Random event FOMO

That guy who did something with electricity and also cars and maybe the moon came to speak and people got a photo with him? Ugh that probably got so many Facebook likes. How will my internet acquaintances know how perfect my life is without a photo with that guy? What was his name again?

Dog FOMO*

There was a dog in White Plaza? Why didn’t you tell me!

*This one is actually incredibly valid and you should always tell your friends when and where you find a dog on campus.

FOMO around family? Extra tiring.

BUT. Imagine if we lived in a world where none of these ~fears~ existed. Stanford is a place filled to the brim with people who are very passionate about very many things, which is awesome, but they don’t exactly know when to say no to a new student group or party or show or science expo or whatever. So I say we all take a minute to step back and look at what we’re already doing with our lives. Instead of constantly dropping commitments out of fear that something better will come along, what if we all just reveled in what we’re currently involved in?

Instead of forcing yourself to go out, let yourself stay in and watch that X-Men movie from 2000 (side note: I’ve recently discovered the X-Men films and can I just say WOW 10/10 thank you based god for Hugh Jackman). Your friends won’t desert you, nor will the world end just because you took a personal day.

Oh and never, ever do something you’re not interested in just because your crush is doing it. That’s dumb.

Lianna “severely guilty of that last one” Holston