Replacing FOMO with JOMO

We live in a world where the pressure to do it all is constant. Social media feeds overflow with pictures of festivals, conferences, family gatherings, and fitness achievements, making it easy to feel like we’re always missing out on something. This feeling is commonly known as FOMO—the Fear of Missing Out. But what if we flipped the script? What if, instead of lamenting what we can’t do, we celebrated the choices we make? Enter JOMO—the Joy of Missing Out.

JOMO is about living intentionally, prioritizing what truly matters, and finding peace with what you put on the back burner. It’s the recognition that life isn’t about cramming everything in; it’s about consciously curating your time and energy to reflect your values.

The Liberation of Saying “No”

One of the most liberating truths to embrace is that you can’t have it all—and that’s okay. You can’t excel in your career, be a present parent, attend every social event, maintain the perfect body, keep up with every trend, and stay on top of every opportunity simultaneously. Life demands trade-offs, and JOMO helps you make those trade-offs with intention.

This year, I missed the opportunity to attend Microsoft Ignite in person—a flagship event for tech professionals. It’s an event filled with inspiring talks, groundbreaking announcements, and valuable networking opportunities. But instead of flying out to attend, and to meet the long seen friends there, I chose a different way of joy: I organized a 100+ person watch party in New York City.

At first glance, it might seem like I missed out. But by embracing JOMO, I turned the situation into something meaningful. I created a space for people to connect locally, share insights, and build a community. I missed the hustle of the live conference, but I gained the satisfaction of fostering something equally impactful, all while saving travel time that I could dedicate to my family and other priorities.

Choosing What Matters

The Joy of Missing Out is rooted in the understanding that what you leave out is just as important as what you include. It challenges you to focus not on what you might be losing, but on what you’re gaining by making a deliberate choice. JOMO transforms missed opportunities into acts of self-care, alignment, and purpose.

When you embrace JOMO, you allow yourself to step away from the exhausting pursuit of perfection. Instead of spreading yourself thin trying to meet every expectation, you narrow your focus to the things that truly matter. You don’t just do more—you do what’s right for you.

Turning FOMO into JOMO in Everyday Life

So how do you replace FOMO with JOMO in your life? Start with these steps:

1. Define Your Priorities - Get clear about what truly matters to you. Is it your family, your health, your career, or your creative pursuits? Write these down and let them guide your choices.
2. Say No Without Guilt - Recognize that saying “no” to something is saying “yes” to something else. Stand by your decisions and don’t let guilt creep in.
3. Focus on the Present - When you choose to spend your time in a particular way, commit fully. Don’t dwell on what you’re missing out on; instead, immerse yourself in what you’ve chosen to do.
4. Celebrate the Small Wins - Missing out on one opportunity often creates room for another. Celebrate the unique benefits that come with your choices.
5. Resist the Comparison Trap - FOMO thrives in comparison. Stop measuring your life against highlight reels on social media and start appreciating the path you’ve chosen.

Joy in the Journey

By replacing FOMO with JOMO, you liberate yourself from the endless chase of doing it all. You accept that some things will fall by the wayside, and that’s not a failure—it’s a feature of living intentionally. Missing out can be a source of joy when it means you’re prioritizing what aligns with your goals and values.

When I ended up skipping Microsoft Ignite this year, I didn’t feel deprived. I felt empowered. The joy of building something local and personal outweighed the fear of what I might be missing. JOMO isn’t about giving up; it’s about choosing wisely and standing behind those choices.

You can’t do everything—but you can do what matters most. And that’s more than enough.