My JOMO Discovery
Lately, I've been embracing a concept that has transformed my time, and energy: JOMO, or the Joy of Missing Out. This term, coined by Anil Dash, has given me the permission to fully enjoy what I choose to do—without the pressure of what I'm "supposed" to be doing or what society thinks I "need" to do.
And let me tell you...it has been liberating!
Saying "No" to Things I Don't Want to Do
I've become more intentional about what I say yes to. If an event or obligation doesn't excite me, I simply decline. No big lies or made-up stories. Just an honest, "I'm not going to make it."
And the result? More time and energy to do what I love. I've already finished one book and am halfway through both an Audible book and a paperback that has been sitting on my nightstand for a few months. My mental space feels clearer, and my reading list is finally shrinking in the best way possible.
Side Note: I don't get invited to tons of things, and I secretly kinda wish I did. Especially those that sound super fun and of interest to me! But that is also something I'm finding JOMO in.
Apps & Personal Life
A few friends convinced me to try dating apps since that's how people connect nowadays. Having last dated in 1997, I gave it a shot—what a whirlwind! The sheer number of "single" men in my area...WOWZERS! I didn't even get to a 1/10 of the ones that left me notifications! Honestly, the endless profiles felt like a full-time job. I just can't!
I recently muted the two I had and deleted the apps from my phone. What a relief! Swiping and messaging were exhausting, and the quality of connections? Well...most of them were underwhelming.
Instead, I've embraced JOMO—focusing on creating and writing! Also, making genuine connections just feels more REAL. Let's be honest, I'll likely be alone forever, but I feel like me again! And that makes my heart smile! It's the JOMO!
Renewed Energy at Work
Letting go of unnecessary commitments has freed up more space to focus on work, too. The graphic design aspect of my job has been fun and exciting; I've even learned a few new tricks with video creation! Also, I've had a renewed zeal to put more energy into coaching and tackling exciting new projects.
With fewer distractions, my creativity is flowing freely! It's wild, but I feel more connected to my ideas! It's like hitting the little "boost" button in a video game; I'm cruising and loving it!
Focused Fitness
At the gym, I'm finally making progress with a few skills I've been grinding at for months! My workouts feel so much stronger and more focused! And, best of all—I'm actually having fun at the gym again! Letting go of things that drain me has given me energy to push harder, and I'm loving every second of it!
Guiltless entertainment
I just finished watching Younger on Netflix, and I absolutely loved it! The show resonated with me on so many levels—especially since it takes place in a publishing house, just like my work. Plus, the main character is recently single and in her 40s, navigating life in a way that feels so relatable. The best part? I let myself enjoy it fully, without guilt. I didn't need to be anywhere--just cuddle up with Honey (my goldendoodle) and enjoy!
Home-Life Joy
For the last 30 days, meal prep has been done by Monday each week. That small but mighty accomplishment makes my week so much smoother.
And this past Saturday? Instead of pushing myself to workout or do a long run, I took an unplanned rest day and deep-cleaned my entire house—top to bottom, dusting, mopping...the works. And it felt amazing! I even read a few chapters and watched a few episodes of Will Trent. Y'all...that is the JOMO I'm talking about! *wink*
Joy Of Missing Out
It's wild how much energy I was spending on things that weren't always giving back to me. Now, by intentionally missing out on things that don't add value to my life, I've gained so much more JOY! Yes, personal joy. But, also professional clarity and emotional peace. It's interesting how much energy our mind spends worrying about or focusing on things that don't always lead us to genuine enjoyment.
JOMO isn't just about "missing out"—it's about fully embracing what I do choose to spend my time on. Simply put--I just feel better!
In what ways have you discovered JOMO in your world? I'd love to hear about it.
