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Five signs you’ve swapped FOMO for JOMO

Forget fear of missing out - joy of missing out is where it’s at

Sabrina Barr
Wednesday 30 January 2019 10:17 GMT
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While FOMO, or the "fear of missing out", is a phenomenon that many people experience on a daily basis, it's recently been discovered that JOMO, or the "joy of missing out", is becoming far more commonplace.

According to recent research conducted by money saving website VoucherCodes.co.uk, more than three quarters of millennials actively engage in JOMO, sometimes sacrificing the possibility of socialising with friends as a consequence.

Experiencing JOMO could involve something as simple as opting to stay in on a Saturday night rather than go to the party all your friends are attending, or choosing to wait for new film releases to be added to Netflix as opposed to watching them in the cinema.

Here are five signs you may have swapped FOMO for JOMO:

1. You relish staying in and enjoying your own company

Sure, your friends may be attending the most popular parties in town or checking out swanky new bars, but you have little desire to join them.

While you may have previously hated the prospect of missing out on the most coveted social events, now you're perfectly happy telling your friends that you're going to enjoy a night in on your own instead.

For all you know, they may envy your newfound confidence to stand your ground when you fancy donning your comfiest pyjamas and staying in for the evening.

2. You don't fret too much over your social media feed

Social media has become a widespread source of worry in modern society, with many people constantly fretting over the aesthetic of their Instagram or Twitter feeds.

These worries don't concern you one bit. You don't mind if you haven't participated in the 10-year challenge, or if your latest tweet has only garnered a scatter of likes.

You may be one of those rebellious folk who don't even use social media at all.

3. You don't feel the need to watch new film releases in the cinema

With more than 800 films released in the UK in 2016, according to film data company Stephen Follows, there's always an exciting blockbuster, a funny romantic comedy or a chilling thriller to watch at the cinema.

While this may be the case, you prefer to wait until the film on your must-see list has made its way onto a streaming service or your TV before watching it.

You don't mind having to dodge film spoilers wherever you go. Vice and Mary Queen of Scots can wait.

4. You have no desire to try out the latest workout trend

The world of fitness has become inundated with a plethora of new, innovative workouts, from a kickboxing-HIIT hybrid class to Beyoncé-inspired dance sessions.

Despite the fact that your friends have been raving about trying out these new classes, you just don't feel the need to jump on the bandwagon.

5. You're not particularly fond of dating apps

For all the singletons out there, the app-obsessed nature of society can make them feel pressured to give all the latest dating apps a go, from Hinge to Ship.

Dating apps may work for some people, and can enable you to make lots of new acquaintances with ease.

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Nonetheless, people with JOMO may be happy giving dating apps a miss. Just because swiping right worked for one person, this doesn't necessarily mean it's the right course of action for you.

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