(F.O.M.O: fear of missing out)
With the sun newly upon us Chicagoans, it is tempting to want to do it all before time runs out. The downside? Feeling like you didn’t do enough to maximize your day, or that you picked the “wrong thing.” FOMO anxiety is real. Follow these tips to avoid letting fear of missing out run your summer.
Don’t: Check the weather every hour, especially while at work.
Do: Ride your bike to work. Take a longer walk for coffee break. Open a window. Hold a meeting at an outdoor patio.
Don’t: Over-plan or over-commit. Or hold out on committing to a plan out of fear that something better will come along and you’ll be stuck.
Do: Pick one plan and make the best of it (have a back-up only if weather is a concern).
Don’t: Force yourself to go to happy hour on a rooftop when you’re 1. behind on work, 2. have to prepare for a big presentation tomorrow, 3. haven’t eaten a meal yet today, 4. are low on $$ just because “it’s nice out.” There will be more sunny days (I promise).
Do: Remind yourself of all you have already planned (vacations, concerts, cook outs, birthdays).
Don’t: Obsess on Instagram with what everyone else is doing.
Do: Take a mindful minute to breathe, and recognize you’re perfectly ok with where you are in that moment.
They say summer is a state of mind. Keep yours from spinning on FOMO override, and enjoy yourself one minute at a time.
See post in May Digital Toolbox.
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