Enter Mid-30s: Goodbye FOMO

Once you enter your 30s, a certain magic happens, and the minute things you used to obsess about suddenly have no value. Enter Mid-30s and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) turns into JOMO (Joy of Missing Out). It’s as if a weight is lifted and you appreciate the simple things in life, like purchasing a new comforter set… well, at least for me at age 36.

Though it’s impossible to be everywhere at once, in this day and age, it’s impossible not to see what’s going on thanks to social media. The feeling of being left out, forgotten, and missing experiences can become heavy and uneasy to grasp.

According to Sci-Tech Today:

• 65 to 70% of millennials especially say they feel FOMO when it comes to events and experiences.
• In crypto markets, 60 to 80% of retail traders report that at least some FOMO influences their decisions.
• A huge 93% of Gen-Z admit to losing sleep due to checking social media late at night.
• Higher FoMO correlates with higher anxiety, depression, and worse sleep, and some studies show interventions like limiting social media can reduce loneliness and depressive symptoms.
• During COVID, social media usage jumped by 25 to 47%, which likely stoked more FOMO.
• Behaviorally, FOMO drives impulsive buying, binge-drinking, distracted phone use, and compulsive brand behavior, especially in younger people.

FOMO can disturb your life in a major way. Mentally, you may experience feelings that overpower and distract all of the positives you have going on in your life. Help Guide has provided tips to cope with FOMO responsibly:

• Develop self awareness: acknowledge your feelings
• Focus on present experiences: meditate, immerse yourself in your senses, and be mindful of your urges
• Manage overall stress and anxiety levels: journal and exercise
• Take a digital detox: turn off notifications, designate phone-free times
• Boost your self-esteem: practice positive self-talk
• Foster genuine connections: join a support group, spend time with family and friends, join a volunteer group
• Know when to seek professional help: notice if fomo is affecting your work, school and relationships

As you begin to mature, certain things become less important, and you begin to shift your interest. Intentional living becomes more of a priority, and you find joy in beneficial things that are reciprocal, like gardening, or creating a safe space in your home. 

“From my clinical work, I see that the mid-30s are less about losing something, like the social buzz or the pull of constant comparison, and more about gaining clarity,” said Sarah Thompson, LPC, LCMHC, founder of SJT Therapy. 

“Psychologically, this stage often brings a natural reevaluation of priorities,” Sarah said. “The brain and body have weathered enough experiences to recognize that chasing every opportunity isn’t the same as living fully. What used to feel like “missing out” now feels more like curating: choosing what actually aligns with personal values, relationships, and deeper fulfillment.”

With age and development JOMO presents a sense of relief and reassurance of oneself. It also allows you the opportunity to understand that it’s okay to be okay with not being a part of something. There’s no anxiety attached to joy, only peace.

If you’re looking for the perfect recipe to get to JOMO, simply do the opposite of what you’re doing now. For example: If you’re mad that a friend is going to dinner without you and you see them posting on social media, simply log off and find a reason to be grateful. You can choose to be grateful to have food at home and redirect your energy into doing something reciprocal like starting a garden, or treating yourself to dinner. It’s all about perspective.