JOMO : The Antidote India has for FOMO

 

A Teenager's Take on FOMO

"None of the songs are matching this photo damnit! I can't even think of a good caption, I'm going to be the last person to post the story for today's event.."

Aditi threw her phone on the bed, giving up on her failed attempts at making the photo collage look up to the mark.

"Will it really be that bad? If you don't post that story?" Mahi calmly asked her. 

"Of course Maahi!! Everyone has already posted, and I was present at the event, it would look really embarassing if I don't-"

"EMBARASSING??! Why?"

"Because... it's a thing! It's important, you won't understand."

Aditi and Mahi...  the two lovely young girls and fast friends had just returned from a Diwali bash and Aditi was struggling to post her snaps at the event on insta while Mahi was chilling around with her pet fido... 

"Yeah, I don't actually. I don't understand why you putting your life on display for the world to see and appreciate is such a pressure and priority. It would be different if it's about something that would've impacted a larger audience for the good, and didn't stress you out at the same time, but this... I'm not sure why you're spending so much time on decorating and glorifying a photo that we both know looks and feels way different that what it actually was! Stop running Aditi."

"Running?" Aditi was taken aback. She knew Mahi was right. The photo looked way more fancy than the event actually was. But everyone posts it anyways, who would know? And she definitely wasn't running anywhere.

"Yeah... take a moment, and think. " Mahi continued 

If you do not succumb to these man made needs of addictive nonsense, you'll realise, there is absolutely no need to run. The natural pace of human life is very simple. Very healing. Very peaceful.

What would really happen if you tore yourself away from the impossibly and unnaturally fast paced world that comes to you on your phone, forcing you to believe that if you don't keep up, you're missing out?"

Though both of them were great friends, they were poles apart in their personalities.. Aditi was a bubbly, bright, energetic enthu with an active, almost addictive presence on insta, always social and  visible to the world while Mahi was a cheerful, warm yet simple and peaceful intelligent young girl. Both of them were studying humanities at one of the top college in the city. 

Aditi thought for a moment and shot back, "But it's also a good thing. People like my posts, my stories. They find them creative and aesthetic. That boosts my confidence and pushes me to do better every time. I know I have to be good, and consistent, because now people are watching me."

"Is wasting so much mental energy and time to get that appreciation really worth it?  Look at your frustration at this moment. Is it boosting your confidence? What are you working so hard for? Unless you wish to make a career in this field."

Again, Mahi was right. Aditi felt... She had been feeling extremely competitive to be at the top of this game. She recalled what her mother had said to her the previous day, "Both the selfies look the same Adi! You're smiling the same. Just pick any one and get done with it." 

"I don't.." said Aditi to Mahi... 

"This isn't only about social media. It is each and every thing that makes you fear that you're lagging behind, that you're missing out. Don't indulge in them. 

And you know what, there's actually Joy in being without them." Mahi Smiled at Aditi 

"How so?" Aditi was curious. She found this bizzare. How could anyone be happy by feeling left out?!

"Since ancient times, Patience has been the most dominant quality of Indians. The entire society functioned at a respectable pace, owing to the dedicated time required for all sorts of qualitative outputs across fields. 

Meditation was not a prescribed treatment, but a natural routine. 

There was beauty in letting go. In detaching from the temptations. In leading a holistic life in the simplest manner. There was bliss in the serenity of a purposeful life."

"How is that related to this?"

"You won't find an old man, who has lived his life without the sweet poison of trends, reels and hashtags, regretting over missing out on an opportunity, because everyone else got to experience it joyfully. 

Comparing your life with that of others' brings a feeling of inadequacy. 

Recall that the first prayer our grandmother taught us is the prayer of gratitude. Feeling content with what we have, is the key towards achieving tranquility."

"But today's world runs differently. Everyone wants to achieve more than others. Being happy means being happier than others . And it has always been that way. Since ancient times. That's why wars took place."

"Ram, Sita and Lakshman found contentment within their humble abode in Panchavati.

The Pandavas were willing to accept mere 5 villages under their rule. 

Buddha renounced  his kingdom in search of spiritual peace. 

In fact, renouncement of materialistic luxuries was a part of our Ashrama System. 'एतत् न मम।" Taking Sanyas as a means to gaining Moksh instilled peace and calm. There was a Joy, in leaving it all behind and focusing on what really mattered."

Aditi was silent and thoughtful. She saw how superficial and hollow all of this was. 

"So what happened to us?"

"We simply stopped using our intellect to differentiate between what's Easy and what's Right. 

Feeling delighted at the attention we receive is easy. Submerging ourselves in trivial practices is easy. But knowing when and where to stop will set you on the right path. 

Indian Culture was never based on momentary pleasures and immediate satisfactions. We don't need to nurture the feeling of FOMO. Actually, we should be practicing JOMO!"

"JOMO?" Aditi laughed amusingly.. 

"We always have been a  sustainable philosophy." 

Mahi was smiling and assertive. 

"A culture that forged patience. A lifestyle that brought peace and bliss to our souls. A society that was a closely knit  community and yet revered each individual journey...  even if it meant discovering one's journey through Joy of Missing Out."

Siddhi Deshmukh

Student , 

First year Bachelors in Hindu Studies