Living at fast-forward speeds, we forget that we DON’T need – nor is it possible – to catch up with everything.

If there’s one feeling that characterizes the modern experience of being a human with internet, a social life, and social media accounts, it’s FOMO — the notorious Fear Of Missing Out. The need to be everywhere, to experience everything, to miss nothing. An old anxiety with a new name, which, amidst digital everyday life and the post-Covid legacy, has grown and crept into our every day.

The desire for completeness isn’t new. We’ve always wanted to “live it all”: every experience, concert, and outing, every screening and theatrical performance, every sporting event and art exhibition, every opportunity for something “unique.” But now, it’s not just about what we choose to do; it’s also about everything we see others doing. And that’s where the anxiety begins: the more you see, the more you feel like you’re missing out. Especially in the summer, when time (theoretically) stretches out, events multiply, and people rush from rooftop to camping and from secret rave to art bazaar, FOMO seems to hit an all-time high.

And it’s not just the budget that’s pressing. It’s also the feeling that we have to fit everything in. To be in nine places at once, not to miss “the moment,” not to be left behind. And somewhere along the way, we forget something simple but crucial: that we can’t experience everything. Not physically, not chronologically, not emotionally. No matter how hard we try, we’ll always be “missing” something — and that’s not a defeat, it’s the very nature of reality.

So what can we do? First and foremost, take a step back — or better yet, a more conscious step. More qualitative and selective scrolling. Not complete abstinence, but less “noise”: fewer mechanical bombardments from reels and stories full of lights, crowds, and “epic nights” that don’t truly concern us. A small reduction in screen time, with content that has value, aesthetics, and ethos, can make a big difference to our mental well-being.

It’s also worth re-evaluating which accounts fill our feed. Whether they are brands, organizations, or personal accounts, choosing them wisely can act as a quality filter. The point isn’t to see less, but to choose better. And when the time comes to decide where to go, what to do, who to be with, a small question can bring clarity: “Do I want this, or am I just afraid of missing out?”

It’s not bad to want to live. On the contrary. Life is made of moments, and we do well to chase them. But when “catching up” becomes more stressful than the event itself, then we lose the core: the joy. Sometimes, the greatest luxury isn’t being somewhere, but being nowhere. Staying home because you don’t feel like going out. Cancelling a plan because a need arose. Choosing where and how yourself, instead of feeling like a passive spectator of an endless list of happenings.

Every choice we make leaves something behind — and that’s okay. Every “no” we say opens up space for a more sincere “yes.” Every moment we “miss” can be the necessary pause before the next thing we truly want. Let’s try not to take stock based on what “our eyes missed”: the concerts, the performances, the screenings, the nights that happened without us. But on moments when we were there, with willingness, with awareness — whether in a packed stadium, or lying on the couch staring at the ceiling, without guilt. Let’s not fear what we are about to lose. Let’s truly enjoy what we are living.

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