The Endless Scroll: How Did We Get Here?
We’ve all been there, scrolling through Instagram, diving into a sea of stories, reels, and posts. You start with a quick check, and before you know it, you’ve lost an hour or two, feeling worse than before. This is FOMO in action, the Fear of Missing Out, and it’s become a huge part of our digital lives.
But here’s the thing: FOMO isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a real psychological phenomenon that’s messing with our minds and our lives. And social media? It’s like a turbocharger for FOMO. So, let’s talk about what this means for us, how it’s changing our daily lives, and, most importantly, what we can do about it.
What Exactly Is FOMO?
FOMO is that uneasy, anxious feeling that we’re missing out on something—something fun, important, or better than what we’re doing right now. Social media cranks this feeling up to eleven. We’re constantly bombarded with carefully curated snapshots of other people’s lives, their vacations, parties, successes, while we’re stuck in the mundane grind. Even though we know these are just highlights, it’s hard not to compare them to our everyday reality.
The Daily Impact of Social Media and FOMO
1. Mental Health: The Pressure Cooker
Spending hours on social media can create a pressure cooker of anxiety and stress. Research has shown that those who are glued to their screens are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and loneliness. The irony? Social media is supposed to keep us connected, but it often leaves us feeling more isolated and less satisfied with our own lives.
Picture this: you wake up and the first thing you do is grab your phone. You start with just a quick glance at your feed, but soon you’re deep into other people’s lives. By the time you put your phone down, you’re left feeling like you’re not doing enough, not having enough fun, not living up to some impossible standard.
2. Time Sink: Where Did the Hours Go?
Did you know the average person spends over three hours a day on social media? That’s more than 21 hours a week—almost an entire day! Imagine what else we could do with that time—spend it with loved ones, pursue hobbies, or just relax without a screen. But instead, we often end up wasting time scrolling aimlessly.
This isn’t just about lost time; it’s about how this habit affects our attention and productivity. How often have you picked up your phone to check one thing, only to find that an hour has passed, and you’ve accomplished nothing? It’s a sneaky way to lose both time and focus.
3. Social Life: Real vs. Virtual Connections
Our obsession with social media doesn’t just affect our mental health and time—it also impacts our real-life relationships. Instead of having meaningful conversations with family and friends, we might be more focused on getting that perfect shot for Instagram. We’re more “connected” than ever, but those connections often feel shallow.
Social media can also create unrealistic expectations about what our social lives should look like. We see others constantly out, about, and having fun, which can make us feel like we’re not doing enough or that our lives are boring by comparison. This can lead to feelings of isolation and even more FOMO.
Photo by Georgia de Lotz on Unsplash
Where Are We Heading?
If we continue down this road, the long-term effects on our mental health, social connections, and overall well-being could be pretty severe. We could see an increase in anxiety, loneliness, and a decrease in our ability to focus on what truly matters. And our kids? They’re growing up in this hyper-connected world, which might make these challenges even more intense for them.
Taking Back Control: How to Beat FOMO and Social Media Overload
So, what can we do to regain control and protect our mental health—and that of our kids—from the negative impacts of social media? Here are some ideas that I think should be practiced in order to start beating FOMO:
1. Setting Boundaries with Social Media
One of the best ways to manage FOMO is by setting clear boundaries around social media use. This might mean limiting your time on these platforms or setting specific times of the day when you check in. For example, you might decide to keep your social media time to 30 minutes a day or have no-screen hours during meals or before bed.
2. Prioritizing Real-Life Experiences
Pay attention to what’s happening in your own life instead of what others are doing online. Do things that make you happy—like spending time with family and friends, working on a hobby, or going for a walk outside. For example, when I find myself scrolling through social media, I try to bake my kids favourite dessert (banana cake!) or I ask them if they want to play a board game, believe me they are so happy when I do that!!! When you focus on enjoying your own life, you won’t feel like you’re missing out on what others are doing.
3. Teaching our Kids Healthy Social Media Habits
As a mother myself, I find it unbearable to see my kids constantly online scrolling Tik Tok and Youtube shorts!!! It’s crucial to teach our kids how to use social media in a healthy way. This means having open conversations about the difference between what is online and real life, and encouraging them to take breaks from their screens. I have set up parental controls and time limits on my kids iPads to 30 minutes a day.
4. Practice Gratitude and Mindfulness
Gratitude and mindfulness can really help with FOMO. Instead of stressing over what you don’t have, focus on what you do have and appreciate it. For example, if you see a friend’s vacation photos, instead of feeling left out, remind yourself of something you love about your own life, like a recent fun day with your family. Being present in the moment, like enjoying your morning coffee without checking your phone, helps reduce the anxiety that comes from constantly comparing yourself to others.
5. Curate Your Social Media Feed
It is very important to be careful about who you follow and the content you look at. If some accounts make you feel bad or stressed, it’s totally fine to unfollow or mute them. Instead, follow accounts that make you feel happy, inspired, and match your values and what you like.
6. Take a Digital Detox
Sometimes, it’s good to step away from social media completely. Take a break for a day, a weekend, or even longer. A digital detox can help you clear your mind and focus on what really matters in your life. For example, try deactivating your instagram account for a week and don’t check your phone all the time and see how much more relaxed and connected you feel with the world around you 🙂
It is about Time to Reclaim Our Lives !
FOMO and social media addiction are real problems that can harm our mental health, waste our time, and strain our relationships. But the good news is, we have the power to take control and make things better. By setting limits, focusing on what really matters in our lives, and teaching our kids healthy habits, we can break free from the hold social media has on us.
Let’s be more thoughtful about how we use social media, enjoy the real moments in our lives, and protect our mental health. Life is too short to spend it glued to our screens, constantly comparing ourselves to others. It’s time to truly live our own lives to the fullest!