We’ve all been there. It’s a gorgeous Saturday, your social feed is flooded with packed beach trips and rooftop parties, and you feel that sudden sting of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). But you don’t have to say yes to every single invitation to have a memorable season. If you’re feeling exhausted just looking at everyone else’s packed schedules this season, it’s time to ask a different question: what is JOMO, and how can it completely change your outlook?
JOMO stands for the Joy of Missing Out. While summer forces a lot of pressure on us to maximize every single second of sunlight, true warmth comes from slowing down. Understanding what is JOMO isn’t about being antisocial; it’s about choosing presence over pressure. It’s making trade-offs that actually feel like a treat, allowing you to trade the chaotic rush for intentional rest.
In fact, the urge to unplug has some real science behind it. A 2023 study published in Telematics and Informatics Reports found cultivating a JOMO mindset connects to our social media habits, self-perception, and mental health. The researchers found that intentionally embracing the joy of missing out serves as an excellent tool for digital disengagement—helping you step back from the comparison trap of social feeds so you can genuinely enjoy the life you are living in the moment.
What Summer JOMO Looks Like
In real life, this looks like trading a crowded, overheated music festival for a quiet evening on the porch with a cold drink and a great book. It’s the simple act of leaving your phone inside while you tend to the garden or watch the sunset, completely unbothered by notifications.
When you start embracing this mindset, saying “no thank you” to a packed weekend itinerary becomes an act of self-care, leaving you with a completely blank calendar to do whatever hits your fancy in the moment—even if that’s just savoring a solo ice cream run without needing to photograph it for proof. Adopting this form of summer slow living can help reduce that built up stress and anxiety more than you know.
How to Practice It This Week
Next time you feel the itch to do absolutely everything, challenge yourself to pick one evening to do absolutely nothing. Turn off the alerts, lean into the quiet hum of a summer night, and protect your peace. Your energy will thank you.
What’s your favorite way to practice JOMO when the weather gets warm? Let me know below!
