Picture yourself on a Friday night, scrolling through Instagram stories of friends at that trendy rooftop bar downtown. The drinks look perfect, everyone’s laughing, and for a split second you feel that familiar tug in your chest. You know the one, that nagging voice whispering “you should be there” or “you’re missing out on something amazing.” But what if I told you there’s something even better than FOMO? What if missing out could actually become a source of joy?
Welcome to JOMO, the Joy of Missing Out. It’s not about becoming antisocial or hiding from life. It’s about discovering genuine contentment with where you are right now, in this exact moment of your life. And honestly, it might just be the most powerful tool for transforming your relationship with alcohol.
What JOMO Really Means
JOMO is your FOMO antidote, but it goes way deeper than just staying home on weekends. It’s about finding real satisfaction in your own choices rather than constantly measuring your life against what everyone else seems to be doing. When you embrace JOMO, you’re not rejecting fun or connection, you’re choosing presence over performance.
Think about it this way: how many times have you gone out drinking not because you actually wanted to, but because you felt like you had to? How often have you said yes to that second (or third, or fourth) drink because everyone else was having another round? FOMO has this sneaky way of making our choices for us, and before we know it, we’re living someone else’s idea of a good time.
The Science of Being Present
Here’s what’s fascinating about our brains: when we’re constantly focused on what we might be missing, our minds get stuck in this anxious, scattered state. Neuroscience shows us that FOMO actually triggers the same stress responses as real threats. Your brain literally can’t tell the difference between missing a party and facing actual danger.
But when you shift into JOMO mode, something beautiful happens. Your nervous system calms down, your mind becomes clearer, and you start making decisions from a place of genuine choice rather than reactive fear. It’s like switching from autopilot to conscious control.
JOMO and Your Relationship with Alcohol
This is where things get really interesting for anyone exploring their drinking habits. So much of our alcohol consumption is tied to FOMO, isn’t it? We drink because we think we should, because everyone else is, because we don’t want to seem boring or antisocial.
JOMO flips this script completely. Instead of drinking to fit in or keep up, you start asking different questions: “What do I actually want right now?” “How do I want to feel tomorrow morning?” “What would truly bring me joy in this moment?”
When you’re genuinely content with your choices, peer pressure loses its power. You’re not missing out on anything because you’re fully present with what you’ve chosen instead.
Practical Ways to Embrace JOMO
Start small with this shift. Maybe it’s choosing to stay in on a Tuesday night instead of meeting friends for drinks and actually enjoying that choice. Notice how good it feels to wake up Wednesday morning clear-headed and energized. That’s JOMO in action.
Or try this: the next time you’re at a social event, practice being fully present with your first drink (or your sparkling water) instead of automatically reaching for another. Really taste it, notice the conversations around you, feel your feet on the ground. You might discover that one conscious drink brings more satisfaction than three mindless ones.
If you’re curious about deepening this practice of conscious choice, the Unconscious Moderation app offers guided sessions that help you connect with your genuine desires rather than external pressures. It’s like having a gentle guide helping you distinguish between what you actually want and what you think you should want.
The next time FOMO starts whispering in your ear, try asking yourself: “What am I actually afraid of missing?” You might discover that what you’re really seeking, connection, joy, presence, is available to you right here, right now. And that’s the real magic of JOMO.