Alessia Korvessis | The Chronicle
The fear of missing out, commonly referred to as FOMO, has become one of the most powerful forces shaping how our generation makes decisions and lives our daily lives. It suggests that somewhere else, someone is having more fun, experiencing more and overall having a better life. And unfortunately, we believe it.
Many influences, such as TikTok, fast-fashion trends and societal standards, cause us to compare ourselves to others constantly, seeking approval from friends and family for anything from fashion choices to music taste. FOMO takes away individuality because it pushes the narrative that being different is wrong. It nudges us into conformity more every day. Instead of seeing our differences as the things that make us unique, it projects the feeling of sticking out like a sore thumb.
Even in my life, I have so many experiences where if someone is wearing an outfit that is remotely unique, most people would consider it weird just because it is not “basic”. I have always thought this was sad because it just highlights how individuality is seen as a negative thing.
Not only does FOMO prohibit originality, but it also masks things to look better than they are, just because they are popular. A really good example of this is Coachella. Coachella is an annual music festival held in California that is known for being expensive and heavily populated by influencers. All week, I was seeing a lot of TikToks saying that they “wish they were at Coachella” and “would give anything to go”. Some people were even saying they would sell their houses or cars in order to be able to go. Then, on the other hand, the people who were at Coachella were posting about how it was unclean, busy and stressful. Social media influencers and brands carefully curate Coachella as perfect outfits and concerts, choosing not to show the long lines and sweltering heat.
FOMO always leaves us wanting more. Nothing is ever enough, and it makes it more challenging to be grateful for what we already have. There will always be something happening somewhere else. The question is whether chasing it is causing you to forget what you have in the moment.
