Alive in '25 - Moving from FOMO to FOSS

?

Here we are at the start of a new year, and like many, I find myself wondering about all sorts of things. It’s a time when friends and family ask what my New Year’s resolutions are, and rather than answer, my mind wanders off to think about when and how the tradition of setting resolutions began?

Here is what I found out:

The earliest known practice of making New Year's resolutions can be traced to the ancient Babylonians around 2000 BCE, and it revolved around several things that were important to this ancient culture at the time.

The Babylonian New Year began in mid-March or April, coinciding with the spring planting season and the successful growing season which was of prime importance. They also celebrated a 12-day religious festival called Akitu.

During this festival, Babylonians would make promises to their gods, often pledging to pay debts and return borrowed items in exchange for a successful harvest.

Later, the Romans had their own modification and adaptation of the practice of setting resolutions. Julius Caesar established January 1st as New Year's Day in 46 BCE

The month January was named after Janus, the two-faced god of new beginnings, and Roman officials would make promises of loyalty to the emperor on this day.

The tradition evolved over time and was influenced by both cultures and religions. Early Christians thought the first day of the new year was an occasion for reflecting on past mistakes and resolving to improve.

Then in the Middle Ages, Knights would renew their commitment to chivalry with the "Peacock Vow" at the end of the year. By the 18th Century, the practice became more widespread and secularized and was no longer based on religion.

In the19th Century, New Year's resolutions began appearing in newspapers and magazines, often highlighting people's struggles to keep them.(Sound familiar?)

Today, New Year's resolutions have become a global, largely secular practice focused on personal self-improvement, though the core idea of using the new year as a time for renewal and positive change remains consistent with its ancient origins.

According to recent surveys and studies, some of the most common New Year's resolutions people make today include:

1.? Save more money / spend less money.

?

2.? Exercise more / improve fitness.

?

3.? Eat healthier.

?

??? 4. Lose weight.

?

??? 5. Improve mental health / reduce stress.

?

??? 6. Quit smoking.

?

??? 7. Spend more time with family and friends.

??? 8. Learn a new skill or hobby.

?

??? 9. Travel more.

?

??? 10. Read more books.

?

?

These resolutions often focus on personal health, finances, relationships, and self-improvement, reflecting the modern emphasis on individual growth and well-being.

New Year's resolutions have evolved significantly in the digital age, while also maintaining some traditional aspects.

The Digital Age has had a significant impact, especially because of social media. Social media has transformed how people approach and share their New Year's resolutions. Many now publicly declare their goals on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, creating a sense of accountability. The rise of hashtags like #NewYearNewMe and #GlowUpGoals has turned resolutions into trending topics. Apps and online communities provide support and tracking for popular resolutions like fitness goals or learning new skills.

The digital age has introduced new types of resolutions centered around technology use. Reducing screen time or social media usage has become a common goal. Some people aim to cultivate a more positive social media feed by unfollowing negative accounts. Digital detoxes, where individuals commit to spending time away from devices, have also gained popularity.

And then there are numerous apps and digital tools now to help people stick to their resolutions. You can find fitness apps to track workouts and nutrition. Meditation apps assist with mental health goals. Finance apps help with budgeting and saving money.

?

As society evolves, so do the types of resolutions people make. Some unique modern resolutions include:

1.? Taking more naps prioritizes rest and productivity.

2.? Cultivating a more positive social media feed.

3.? Going on solo trips to increase self-esteem and confidence.

4.? Making one new friend to combat loneliness.

5.? Wearing sunscreen daily for better skin health.

6.? Learning to say "no" more often to set better boundaries.

7.? Minimizing daily decisions to reduce decision fatigue.

8.? Starting a gratitude journal for improved mental health.

9.? Creating a personal brand or online presence.

10. Adopting more environmentally friendly habits.

?

I am also fascinated by how different cultures have unique ways of approaching New Year's resolutions and celebrations:

In Spain and many Latin American countries, people eat 12 grapes at midnight, one with each clock chime. Each grape represents good luck for one month of the coming year.

The Japanese practice "Hatsumode," visiting a shrine or temple in the first three days of the new year to make wishes and resolutions.

Brazilians often wear white clothing on New Year's Eve and jump seven waves in the ocean, making a wish with each jump.

The Scottish celebration of Hogmanay includes "first-footing," where the first person to cross a home's threshold after midnight should bring a gift for luck.

In the Philippines, people display and eat 12 round fruits at midnight, symbolizing prosperity for each month of the new year.

These diverse cultural traditions highlight how different cultures approach the concept of new beginnings and self-improvement at the start of a new year, while also adapting to the digital age in their own unique ways.

To me, setting resolutions is about growth and success, but I have noticed that so many people keep themselves stuck in their own negativity by suffering from what is called: FOMO, an acronym for "Fear of Missing Out."? It describes a pervasive anxiety that others might be having rewarding experiences that you aren’t able to have.

This phenomenon is ?what I call, “rubber-necking” to stay continually connected with what others are doing, to the point of being concerned about missing social interactions, new, exciting experiences, or memorable events.

?FOMO gained widespread recognition in social media when the concept took off about a decade after its coining in 1996, coinciding with the advent of social media, and the Oxford Dictionary added FOMO in 2013 with the definition: "a pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent."

There are some psychological and social problems linked to FOMO such as, Anxiety and Depression: Studies have found that experiencing fear of missing out has been associated with these mental health issues.

FOMO has led to increased social comparison among both adults and teens, often resulting in dissatisfaction with their own lives and experiences. It is also connected with the rise of social media, as people now have access to information about others' activities.

FOMO represents a unique anxiety of the digital age, encapsulating the pressure young adults face to live up to their potential and the constant pursuit of a fulfilling life.

As social media continues to play a significant role in our lives, FOMO remains a relevant concept in understanding modern social dynamics and mental health challenges.

My suggestion in 2025 is that if you insist on holding onto fear, put a positive, motivated slant on the Fear of Staying the Same (FOSS).

The concept behind FOSS in this context is: The anxiety or fear associated with remaining in one's current state or situation, and the motivation to change when the discomfort of staying the same outweighs the fear of change.

This usage of FOSS is ?a more recent meaning that appears to have emerged as a counterpoint to FOMO in discussions about personal growth and change.

The origin of this usage is not clearly documented, but it seems to show up in personal development and business contexts in recent years.

You can look at FOSS as yet another fear that can hold you back, or like me, you can see it as a motivator to new growth in your life where you are concentrating on constantly learning new things and pushing yourself to dive into new, and sometimes challenging, experiences all for the purpose of growing into a “new and improved” version of you!

This is the year to turn FOMO into FOSS!

As always, I’m rooting for you!

Angela I. Schutz

www.driventosucceed.net