One thing I really can’t stand about myself? How easily I get jealous of other people’s lives online — even though I knowdeep down we’re only seeing 1% of the full picture.

Lately, I’ve been struggling a lot with FOMO. You’ve probably heard the term — “fear of missing out” — and honestly, it perfectly describes what I feel most of the time when I open social media.
It’s that awful sinking feeling when you see someone’s Story and realize: you weren’t invited. You’re not part of the moment. You’re missing out on the fun.
And yes, I know it’s toxic. I know it hurts me and probably the people around me too. But some days, those thoughts just take over.
Have you ever felt like that? I’ve lost count of how many times I have.
It’s not even about not loving yourself. It’s more about that deep fear of being left out. Of being forgotten.

So, that’s what today’s post is about — 10 things I actually do when FOMO takes over and I need to bring myself back down to earth.

I hope you’ll enjoy the read and yes, let’s get started!

Why Social Media Makes Us Feel Left Out

Honestly, social media has this way of sneaking into our heads and making us feel like we’re always missing out on something. It’s so easy to get lost in the scroll — seeing all those perfect moments, perfect outfits, perfect trips, perfect everything. And even though we know deep down that what we’re seeing is just a tiny sliver of someone’s reality, it still feels like we’re being left behind. I mean, let’s be real. How many times have we opened Instagram, seen a friend hanging out with others, or spotted a picture-perfect moment and thought, Wait, why wasn’t I there? It’s like this weird little voice that says you’re not part of the group, you’re not included, and maybe — just maybe — you’re not as fun or exciting as everyone else. And here’s the thing: even though I know it’s all a highlight reel, that doesn’t stop the sting.

It’s easy to feel like there’s this constant pressure to be doing something exciting, to be in the right place at the right time, or to be having the same experiences as everyone else. But the truth is, social media is designed to make us feel like we’re always missing out.

It’s not even about what other people are doing — it’s about how these platforms are built to keep us scrolling and comparing. It’s hard not to get caught in that cycle. But I’m trying to remind myself that just because I’m not in the picture doesn’t mean I’m missing out on life. It’s a struggle, though. One that I’m still navigating every single day.

Understanding FOMO

I’ll be honest — talking about this kind of stuff, especially when it’s about me, feels a little scary. For years, I never really struggled with it. I was pretty indifferent, kind of untouched by it all. But after the pandemic… something shifted. Maybe it was all those months spent inside, with too much time to think and scroll. Maybe it just changed the way I see things. I don’t know for sure. What I do know is that FOMO has become something I genuinely deal with now — just like so many other people around the world.

And I think it’s okay to admit that. It’s okay to not have it all figured out. Understanding ourselves is the first step to feeling better, and that’s exactly why I wanted to write about this.

What FOMO feels like for me:

• The fear that life is happening without me, and I’m just watching from the sidelines.

• A weird mix of anxiety, envy, and sadness that sneaks in out of nowhere.

• It usually kicks in the second I open my social media.

• Suddenly, I feel like I’m behind in life — like I should be doing more.

• It tells me lies like: “Everyone else is living. Why aren’t you?”

• It pressures me to say yes to things even when I need rest or space.

• It makes me question choices I was totally okay with before.

• It feeds off comparison — making other people’s lives look better than mine.

• I even feel it while I’m out with friends. Like I’m missing something better elsewhere.

• It distracts me from what truly matters: my own joy, peace, and presence.

10 Ways to Take Control

Now that we’ve talked about how FOMO shows up and messes with our heads, let’s get into how we can actually deal with it. Because, let’s be real — it’s not enough to just recognize it. We need to do something about it. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few little tricks and habits that help me turn down the volume on those anxious thoughts and take back control. These aren’t quick fixes, but they’ve helped me find some peace in the chaos.

1. Practice “digital boundaries”: Set clear limits for your social media use. These boundaries help me stay present in the moment and not constantly compare myself to others. For me, it’s helped reduce the anxiety of feeling “behind” and given me more mental space for my own thoughts.

2. Do the thing you wish you were invited to—alone: Instead of waiting for an invite, I’ve learned to enjoy doing things on my own. Doing things solo has helped me so much and I’ve realized that I don’t need other people to validate my experiences + it’s a great way to reconnect with yourself.

3. Replace passive scrolling with active creating: It sounds curious, but trust me: it works. I’ve started using social media to create. It shifts my focus from comparing my life to others to celebrating what I’m doing. Being creative online has helped me feel more in control of my own narrative and less vulnerable to FOMO.

4. Write down what you think you're missing—and challenge it: Whenever FOMO hits, I write down exactly what I feel I’m missing out on. I then ask myself if it’s as important as I’m making it out to be. More often than not, I realize that what I’m missing isn’t really as significant as my mind makes it seem. This simple exercise helps me put things into perspective and it’s really a good exercise for your thoughts.

5. Focus on what you can control: Instead of getting caught up in the things you can’t control (like who’s hanging out without you), try to focus on what you can — like your health, your goals, your relationships, your actions. Shifting my focus has been a game-changer for my mental well-being. It’s empowering to realize that my happiness doesn’t depend on external factors.

6. Mute people who trigger your FOMO (without guilt): I used to feel guilty about muting people on social media, but now I see it as an act of self-care. If someone’s posts are making me feel left out or inadequate, I mute them temporarily. It doesn’t mean I don’t like them — it just means I’m protecting my peace, and that’s something I’ve learned to prioritize.

7. Practice “JOMO” — the joy of missing out: I’ve learned to embrace the joy of missing out. There’s something so freeing about not being tied to every social event or trend. I started celebrating my alone time and it’s been a breath of fresh air. It helps me stay connected to myself: doing my skincare, doing some body stretching, or just listening to some comfort music.

8. Remember: no one’s life is perfect: It’s easy to look at someone else’s life and think they have it all together, but no one’s life is perfect. I remind myself that behind every picture-perfect post, there are real struggles and imperfections and this mindset shift has helped me stop comparing my behind-the-scenes to others' life.

9. Journal your triggers: Whenever you feel FOMO, try to jot down the specific triggers — whether it’s a certain person’s post or a type of event you’re missing. This journaling process helps me identify patterns and gain clarity on why I’m feeling the way I do.

10. Create a “feel good” space: It’s so important to feel good and at peace witch yourself. I’ve created a physical space that makes me feel good — a cozy spot at home where I can relax and recharge: it could be your bedroom, with fresh and fragrant sheets, candles, and pillows, or any home spots you feel comfortable with. This “feel good” space helps me step away from the noise of the world and focus on what makes me feel at peace.

So yeah… FOMO is real, and it sucks. It’s exhausting to constantly feel like you're not doing enough, not being enough, or that you're somehow falling behind. But the truth? You’re not. You’re exactly where you’re meant to be — even if it doesn’t always feel like it. Social media has this sneaky way of making everyone’s life look shinier, more exciting, more together than it really is. But you don’t see the doubts, the bad days, or the quiet nights behind the scenes. And honestly? That’s okay.

What matters most is how you feel in your own life. So slow down. Take breaks from the scroll. Protect your peace. Reconnect with things that make you feel good — journaling, a solo coffee date, watching your comfort movie for the hundredth time (hi, that’s me). Presence beats pressure every time. FOMO might not fully disappear overnight, but the more you ground yourself in your own reality, the less power it has. You’re not missing out — you’re just building something real, at your own pace.

I truly hope this post has been as helpful for you as it was for me — whether you’re going through the same thing or just want to stay mindful of something that seriously can affects your mental health. I really hope you enjoyed it. So many new projects are on the way and I can’t wait to share everything with you. See you next week, as always 💌