🌿 Embracing JOMO: The Joy of Missing Out

We’ve all heard of FOMO — the fear of missing out. But what if we flipped that idea on its head?

What if, instead of fearing what we might miss… we found joy in choosing what truly matters?

That’s where JOMO — the joy of missing out — comes in.

From FOMO to JOMO

I once came across a quote by Brené Brown that really stuck with me:

“Fear of missing out is what happens when scarcity slams into shame… We answer FOMO’s call by saying YES when we mean NO… But we are. We’re missing out on our own lives.”

That line — “when scarcity slams into shame” — hits hard.

For many women, especially those who have struggled with weight or body image, shame can feel like a constant companion. We worry about what others think. We judge ourselves. We feel like we’re missing out if we don’t say yes — to the food, the drink, the moment.

But are we really missing out?

Are You Actually Missing Out?

Let’s get honest.

Are you missing out if you pass on the cookie? Or are you choosing something else?

A question I often come back to is:

👉 “Is it worth it?”

Not in a restrictive way — but in a reflective one.

Is that momentary taste worth how you’ll feel later? Physically… emotionally… mentally?

Most of us have had those moments:

• The bag of chips that didn’t feel worth it afterward

• The pint of ice cream that left us sluggish the next day

• The “just this once” that turned into regret

Now imagine the opposite.

Imagine waking up the next morning feeling: ✔ clear✔ proud✔ aligned with your goals

That’s where JOMO lives.

Choosing What Matters Most

JOMO isn’t about deprivation. It’s about alignment.

It’s saying:

“I’m not missing out — I’m choosing something better for me.”

You can still:

• go to the gathering

• enjoy the company

• be fully present

…but skip the things that don’t serve you.

Because every time you say YES to something out of fear…you might be saying NO to your goals, your energy, and your well-being.

A Tool That Helps: Planning Ahead

One strategy that has been incredibly helpful for me is planning my meals ahead of time.

When I’ve already decided what I’m going to eat, I don’t have to rely on willpower in the moment. It removes the internal debate.

It creates clarity.

And clarity makes follow-through easier.

The Real Shift

This isn’t about food.

It’s about:

• your choices

• your boundaries

• your identity

JOMO is the shift from: “I can’t have to “I don’t need that.”

Final Thought

You’re not missing out.

You’re becoming someone who:

• honors your goals

• respects your body

• chooses intentionally

And that?

That’s something worth saying YES to.