There's a new term on social media: ROMO. It's pretty much the same as FOMO, but in reverse.
ROMO is the peace and relief of missing an unnecessary meeting or reading bad news.
What is FOMO?
FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) has become an integral part of the lives of most modern city dwellers who want to stay up to date with all the happenings and, if possible, participate in them. FOMO creates the impression that life is passing by, leaving opportunities behind. Most often, people who experience fear of missing out do not have time to process all the information that has fallen on them during the day, and because of this they think that they know nothing about the modern world and are generally unfit for it. The chain of anxious thoughts in this case builds up very quickly (and most often looks absurd).
The second way FOMO occurs is by watching people on social media who seem to be doing everything, achieving everything, and constantly going to interesting events. Many people find this depressing, but what if you stop and think about how important these supposedly “missed” news/trend/events are to you and what really brings you joy?
How ROMO came about
The idea of ROMO (Relief of Missing Out) emerged against the backdrop of society's fatigue from the constant feeling of guilt for missed opportunities, missed meetings, and misunderstanding of what is really happening in the world. It is a deliberate rejection of the superfluous. Especially from the constant “online” status.
The term went viral on social media after an interview with actor Cillian Murphy was published in the American weekly newspaper Variety. When asked by the journalist if he was feeling FOMO because he didn't star in Christopher Nolan's “The Odyssey,” Murphy replied, “No, I'm feeling ROMO.” The actor's response exploded on social media.
The first to pick up the ROMO idea were the buzzers — a generation that values its comfort more than others and does not seek public approval.
Now, zoomers are increasingly staying at home, allowing themselves to do nothing or engage in passive activities — reading and watching TV series. They deliberately strive for this lifestyle, and the cult of “successful success” does not particularly attract them — due to the negative impact on mental health.
Why is this trend useful?
Eventually, ROMO became synonymous with self-care and trying to get your mental health back on track. It normalizes the same feelings we experience when we miss out on friends, workouts, or any important events and instead stay home to take a break from the hustle and bustle and regain our strength.
Moreover, ROMO not only helps our inner state, but also teaches us the correct, healthy interaction with the media space. Its secrets are simple:
- Set a time limit on apps and messengers with news and entertainment content.
- Turn off notifications from unnecessary groups and publics, and in the evening switch to “do not disturb” mode, which, for example, can only be interrupted by messages from family and loved ones.
ROMO's popularity is also linked to the trend of “new sincerity” on social media, where bloggers share their personal lives without embellishment, openly say what they don't like, and don't try to show the perfect picture. This helps users relax, stop chasing perfection, and realize that they are not alone in their experiences.
How to go from FOMO to ROMO
A number of rules must be followed:
Learn to say “no”
Regularly participating in events for the sake of social recognition and approval is not fun—it has become just another duty. If you are invited somewhere but you don't have the energy or desire (and you won't be fired for missing an event), say “no” to everything unnecessary, and make time for a hobby or recreation—something that energizes you or allows you to relax.
Focus on what's important
Ask yourself: “Do I really want… (insert your option)?”, “Do I need this?” — such questions will help determine the importance of an event or trend that everyone is following. If the answer is “no,” then everything can be let go. When a person understands what is important to them, it is easier for them to refuse information noise without feeling guilty.
Reduce the time spent on social media or have a media detox
Regular online status leads to stress and anxiety. To get rid of this social trigger, you need to consciously use your resources. For example, unsubscribe from all accounts that have become an object of comparison for you (appearance, quality of life, activity) or cause anxiety. It is also important to determine the time we spend on scrolling – half an hour, an hour, but no more. And then focus on what is happening in reality.
Learn to “exhale”
You’ve probably heard this many times and said it to yourself. What a person sees on social media is just a snippet of someone else’s life. A person can go to a concert or a museum once a year and share it on their page, but the social media feed turns all important events into an endless movie about other people’s successes, joys, and happy moments. That’s how FOMO arises. But you don’t need to translate this movie into your own life; it’s better to focus on your moments of happiness and your problems, rather than on the made-up questions inspired by social media.
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