ROMO: the trend that turns FOMO on its head for better mental well-being

Across age groups and across the globe, people are embracing a new acronym - ROMO - relief of missing out.

For too long, the fear of missing out (FOMO) has gripped people. However, FOMO now has an equal opposite: ROMO, or the "relief of missing out". This newfound joy comes from guilt-free plans, skipping online trends, and confidently saying "no" to various events or activities.

ROMO is also known as JOMO - joy of missing out.

Is it about self-preservation - restricting your exposure to far too much stimulation in any already overwhelming world of digital interconnectivity?

Perhaps it has more to do with being mindful, being self-aware and living intentionally, rather than constantly feeling like you need to "keep up" to remain relevant.

Self-care

Last week, actor Cillian Murphy posted a picture of himself on Instagram with the caption: "I have ROMO. Relief of Missing Out."

He was referring to not being included in Christopher Nolan's upcoming "The Odyssey" movie

And he is not alone, by the looks of things.

Several celebrities have sworn that they no longer suffer from FOMO, embracing ROMO instead.

Rihanna, once considered a wild child, told Alan Carr on his "Chatty Man" TV show: "I hate partying. I don’t know if it’s my heels – I don’t like standing up in my heels for hours.

"I don’t know if it’s that, but I’ve been so bored of it.

"I tell you, I’m a bit of a square recently," adding: "Don’t feel bad for me, I’m good!"

British songwriter of One Direction fame, Zayn Malik, also leans into ROMO due to his social anxiety.

He told "Dazed" magazine: "I don't tend to go out much..

"I stick to my own bubble, as it is. Creatively and socially, I think, as I'm getting older, that's just the way I am."

Restoring balance

Kristen Fuller, M.D, writing in "Psychology Today", says JOMO is a winner for her mental health and self-care.

"Although I do love the company of my amazing friends and family, and I do enjoy scrolling social media to view all the cute baby pictures, my friends’ recent adventures, and my college classmates’ new homes, I do not want social media to influence or dictate the majority of my life."

She had this to say about FOMO: "Another driver of FOMO is the social pressure to be at the right place with the right people, whether it’s from a sense of duty or just trying to get ahead, we feel obligated to attend certain events for work, for family and for friends.

"This pressure from society, combined with the fear of missing out (FOMO), can wear us down and decrease our happiness."

Fuller believes that JOMO is the emotionally intelligent antidote to FOMO, giving us permission to live in the slow lane and appreciate where we are in life.

"Instead of constantly trying to keep up with the Joneses, JOMO allows us to be who we are in the present moment, which is the secret to finding happiness. When you free up that competitive and anxious space in your brain, you have so much more time, energy and emotion to conquer your true priorities."

According to "The New York Times", Gen Z - adults under 34 - are primarily embracing this trend, with statistics showing that they drink less, party less and are quite happy to enjoy "staycations" where they can unwind without getting mindlessly drunk like generations before them.

Where the rallying cry of the youth was once "Go large, or go home", it is now "happy to stay home".

Homebodies unite

You could experience ROMO within seconds of responding in the negative to an invitation you're quite happy to skip, or when you see all your friends on social media being drenched at an outdoor concert you declined to attend, preferring to chill at home.

You can even feel ROMO when you change your mind and cancel at the last minute. You might end up being struck off the social list if you do it too often, but if attending is going to disturb your peace, it's best you stay at home.

But while ROMO can be viewed as an antidote to FOMO, it also encourages a mindset of selective consumption, where you control what information reaches you rather than being controlled by algorithms that aim to keep you addicted.

ROMO allows you to actively choose to disengage from the constant digital noise so you can prioritise your own mental health and wellbeing.

Finding contentment in staying home, reading a book or engaging in other activities that bring true happiness is what ROMO is all about.

Getting it right

So how do you get into the swing of ROMO without becoming a recluse?

• Practice mindfulness: Be aware of your feelings and understand why you are consuming certain information.
• Limit social media: Intentionally reduce your time on social media and other digital platforms to cut down on information overload. 
• Curate your content: Be selective about the news and information you consume, choosing what enriches your mind rather than distracts it. 
• Focus on real-world interactions: Prioritise your real-world experiences and relationships over the digital world.
• Don't force it: If you have to force yourself to participate in something or stay connected, it might not be for you. Instead, accept that it's not your path and move on to what truly resonates with you.