This is why FOMO is actually completely ok to feel - Debut

This is why FOMO is actually completely ok to feel - Debut This post is written by a member of the Debut Student Publisher Network. Read on for  Christines thoughts on the  millennial plague that affects us all: FOMO. Otherwise known as the fear of missing out. You know. Its that niggling feeling that everyones going to the same party and youre not invited, or youre not feeling up for going. FOMO is the plague that looms over adult life, and yeah, it sucks. Not only will it potentially haunt you through  your first steps to  adulthood, but also it is perpetuated by your peers. Youve probably heard things like,  Oh, come on, its ONE party, you should definitely come! or Dont be such a party pooper. The fear of missing out can be awful.  But Im here to tell you why its totally okay. 1. Because  peer pressure is silly What makes  FOMO so effectively terrible is that it relies on The Power of Peer Pressure. FOMO comes from the idea that you are not having fun but everyone else is. Youd be home, snuggled up, when suddenly you think, Oh no why am I  at home by myself?  Why did you turn down the idea of fun? Heres the thing. You shouldnt let other people tell you what is fun and what isnt. And if youve said no to going to a party,  they should respect that decision. 2.  Because expectations dont necessary mirror reality FOMO  makes you  feel bad because you see and/or hear proof of other people having fun at thinsg  you didnt go to. Keep this in mind: youre only shown those fun parts. Just because these people had fun at this One Thing you didnt go to doesnt mean you would have. Heck, it doesnt even mean  they had as much fun as theyve portrayed. An Instagram post does not a party make, my friend. 3. Because fun comes in many shapes and sizes What you find fun might not be what other people find fun and vice versa. For example, Im really not a party person, but many  have tried to convince me to hit da  clubz.  Deep down,  I know its not my thing. Having said that, I still felt left out and awkward when the people around me told me the  stories about what they got up to. The FOMO was  so real, but in the end I was grateful for it; I looked at why I felt that way and what part of their stories I found myself wanting to be in. Feeling FOMO helps you figure out what you find fun and what you dont, and what I ended up doing was reaching a compromise that suited me. 4. Because  everyone feels it Talk to anyone you know. Ask them, Hey, was there ever a time you felt like you were missing out on fun stuff? Spoiler alert: they will all say yes. FOMO is perpetuated by the idea that youre the only person in the universe who is not having fun, and the moment you realise that everyones going to feel FOMO at some point in their lives, its super comforting. 5. Because recharging is super healthy Look, missing one party and taking the time to just recharge and breathe is super important. It is totally okay to not want to go out and be social and spend energy in an environment that is super draining occasionally. Make like a KitKat and take a break, man. Youll be grateful for it when everyone else has hangovers the next day. Youd have spent a relaxing night in (especially if you spend it listening to one of our night in playlists). 6. Because therell probably be another chance Sometimes you get FOMO when theres a party that screams, Im a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!But to be perfectly clear, there is a distinctly  high probability that there will be another party to go to if you regret not being there for the one you missed. Its up to you to figure out if you want to act on that FOMO or not, and youll most likely have the chance to do so, so dont sweat it. 7. Because youve made your decision Even if you decide after all of this to definitely stay in and never go to another party again, or if you decide to use your FOMO to encourage yourself not to miss out the next time you can, its your decision what you want to do with your time. Dont worry so much about what other people are doing or saying, because your choice is yours and FOMO is okay either way. Download the Debut app and you could totally grab yourself a summer internship  way before anyone else. Follow Christine  on Twitter  @slytherchris Connect with Debut on  Facebook  and  Twitter