In a post on Stage 32, Alexia Melocchi says that FOMO – Fear of Missing Out – can distract you from your creative work. “Have you ever found yourself scrolling your Instagram or Twitter or Facebook for hours, lingering on those posts where mega deals are entered into by your fellow Artists?” she asks. “Are you feeling dejected when friends, your fellow artists, or even total strangers post about their fabulous life and prolific career?”
Like direct rejection, thoughts of “why them and not me?” can bring you down. Pandemic shutdowns also stopped many of us from pursuing creative projects or finding an audience. Melocchi offers some practical advice on combatting FOMO:
- Take a digital time-out. “Put your phone down, or turn it to airplane mode,” she says. “Silence all notifications on your computer.”
- Turn off the news. If you feel like the bad news hasn’t stopped – or has gotten worse – over the past two years, you’re not alone. Skip the news for awhile.
- Stop doing too many of too many things. “You do not need to write 10 movies, binge-watch, or send hundreds of emails like a robot,” Melocchi says. Instead, choose your projects with intention.
- Stop posting just to get a one-up on others on your extraordinary life. “The more authentic you are, the better relationships you will attract,” Melocchi writes.
She also offers some advice on changing your mindset.
- Identify what outcomes you truly want to pursue. “What outcomes in all areas of your life and in your projects do you want to happen?” Melocchi asks. “List them in practical and attainable baby steps.”
- Meditate on how you’ll feel when accomplish these outcomes. “The more vivid and detailed the image of the outcome, the stronger the feeling,” Melocchi says.
- Write down your answers. When you’re tempted to log-in to social media, re-read your answers.
