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.
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.
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