Skip to main content

FOMO

Say what?  It is the Fear Of Missing Out.  I never knew this was a thing, but after watching Ingrid's video on it, I felt so validated.  Not in the sense that I was all better from the feelings I had before, but there's something about being able to identify what it is that bothers you that gives you a sense of clarity.
Ingrid's video: https://youtu.be/GvTYGsHbDy8
A brief TED talk on the same topic: https://youtu.be/1mZAQC9djPE




If you don't have the chance to watch her video, it's the feeling that you don't want to miss out on creating memories with others, but at the same time either weren't invited to participate or didn't want to participate in the event.





In particular, the year of 2014 was a big FOMO experience for me.  I'm sure, in part was because I had just become a new mom.  I had good reason to feel a bit detached from my previous life since it literally became a completely new life.  My close friends were getting married, and I could see all the fun festivities happening without me on fb and insta.  I understood that their selection of participants was completely their prerogative, and that is right, but when everyone else in your life, including your husband, is still involved in the same capacity, it hurt a little.  Ok, maybe a lot.




After learning that this feeling was something that plenty of people experience, I found a sense of clarity and peace that satiated me.  I don't know if it's that zen state that yogis strive for, but it felt like a piece of my heart had returned to me.  Albeit a little rough around the edges, but returned to make me more whole.  People will continue their lives, and I am not less of a person if I'm not a part of it due to explicit exclusion or not.  I can choose to focus on the beauty and joy that is right in front of me.  I am not insignificant.  Because, I am everything to my son.




My son's laughter and the feeling of his hand as I help him cross the street are moments of pure happiness.  Life is happening all around me, and I shouldn't miss it by being too introspective.  I need to focus on creating great moments, not harboring fear.  

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Sacrifice

Having a second child has been more difficult for me than expected.  I was not prepared for the heartache of what literally felt like a breaking up or falling out with the love of my life: my first born.  I had not read about this in any blogs, vlogs, or anything.  I mean, I had read about the difficulty of managing your time between two kids, but no one mentioned how difficult it would be to step back from your obsession with your first and only child to love another.  It did make me resent my time alone with Leila a bit in the beginning because that meant Ethan was off having fun with daddy while I was stuck at home sustaining a newborn.  My first love was learning about a life beyond mama.  It felt like knife wounds to the heart.  This is how I came to realize what it really means to sacrifice.  I willingly give up something that I hold so dear and close to my heart for the sake of someone else.  It hurts and it is an uphill battle to try to make amends with those that feel wronged

For the First Timers

My friend Isabel recently asked me about my must haves for new parents, and it inspired me to post about all the things I wish someone told me as a new parent. First, cherish this time that you're welcoming your first child.  It might be your one and only or it might be one of many.  But, it will be a very special time because this child is what makes you a mom for the first time.  I think back on the time when I was caring for Ethan as a baby, and it just seemed so innocent and special then.  Also, you cannot spoil your baby.  Nevermind what parents from an older generation say; It is not possible to spoil a baby.  It's true that the baby will develop habits based on what you do, but there is time later for setting good behaviors. It's true that you don't need a lot to take care of a baby, but there are some things that are around these days that make life a bit easier.  I remember reading Charles Duhigg's "The Power of Habit" book last year and how i

Subscription Box Loves

Ever since becoming a mom, convenience has been the name of the game.  Believe it or not, it's difficult to even find time to get to the market.  Therefore, I'd say about 99% of my shopping happens online now.  Subscription boxes have become a staple for me.  I used to be subscribed to birchbox, the makeup/skincare sample service, but a girl only needs so many sample packets.  Once I found out about these 3 below, I was hooked.     First, is my citrus lane subscription box.  It's a service that delivers stuff that my baby can use.  I should also mention that ever since becoming a mom, I have developed a baby stuff buying addiction.  If there's an AA group for that, I probably should join it.  But, in my defense, if there's something that can help make our lives easier, funner, or smarter for baby, what parent would deny that?  I've gotten 3 boxes so far, and I've really liked/used every item I've received.  In my most recent august box, my favorite item