FOMO

New Compression Socks

As a mom of four I have to admit, some perks of motherhood are totally steeped in the selfish, self interest of staying relevant in this ever changing world. A world that keeps rolling up my odometer, while producing younger, cuter versions of me.  I shamelessly exploit my children for my own fountain of youthful relevance, by stealing fashion ideas from them, ( Just little ones) listening to their music (some of it) and eavesdropping (JK - I always butt in) on their conversations so I can keep up with the latest phrases and words of this generation. I don't always use these phrases, but I want to keep up to date so I at least understand them. 

I do try out the new lingo sometimes and some of it is good, descriptive and fun but sometimes a mom is gonna get it wrong.  If I go off track it typically brings down the house with laughter, such as at Christmas when meaning to say "On Fleek" which means to be on point, I said "On Fleck" and they roared with laughter.  I laughed too and continued to misuse the phrase all weekend just to hear them cackle.

Recently one of my daughters educated me in FOMO.  Apparently there is a new social anxiety that has popped up due mostly to social media, Fear Of Missing Out. I had never heard this acronym before.

        

Fomo

| fōmō |

noun

a state of mental or emotional strain caused by the fear of missing out.

• Evolutionary biology - an omnipresent anxiety brought on by our cognitive ability to recognize potential opportunities: The brothers had last-slice fomo as they stared at what was left of pizza.

• (with subject) desire to do something, typically accompanied by unease.

• A form of social anxiety - a compulsive concern that one might miss an opportunity or satisfying event, often aroused by posts seen on social media websites.

ORIGIN: acronym from FEAR OF MISSING OUT

 

(Credit to Urban Dictionary.)

 

When I look at FaceBook or Instagram, I do not experience FOMO.  My friends and family do something fun?  Good for them.  A friend goes to dinner with another friend and I am not invited, no problem, it doesn't cost me anything. I can ask them to dinner anytime I want to and probably one of them will invite me next time anyway.  I'm also mature enough to know that what is on FaceBook is just the highlight of their lives.  There are always two sides. People usually just put the extreme good or bad out there. Also, I am for the most part, not an envious person. However, I do realize when it comes to my weight, to my physical abilities I have a terrible fear of missing out.  

 

My FOMO is not based on an emotional anxiety, it is based on fact of practical truth. A fact I knew nothing about when I was slim and trim at 35, still able to do a "toe-touch" on the trampoline.  It wasn't until my weight started climbing that I started realizing, to be heavy is to carry those extra pounds around like a suitcase full of rocks. Or two suitcases.  Being overweight limits me. I have trouble keeping up, it's like going through life in a pit of miry clay.

And here is the catch - the only way out of the pit is one big girl step at a time. 

I don't want to miss out.  I don't want to lag behind and I don't want to feel tired and worn out the rest of my life.  This weekend I got out, I pushed myself, I planned my weekend around physical activity. Below are the things I didn't miss out on. (Not pictured, me putting mulch in the flower beds).



Run/walk clinic Thursday night

 

Beautiful creek on Saturday morning hike

 

 

Beautiful lake on Saturday morning hike.

Working on container gardening...

Heading to the dog park with hubby and puppies
 

 

I don't want to miss out.  I'm am working on not missing out.  I have a very real picture of my future if I do not make these changes I have been working on - it is a life that keeps getting smaller as I get bigger, pound by pound. I am using my FOMO as motivation to push me forward to help me over the hurdles and out of the mire. I bought compression socks (see pic at top of page) and will write about those later.  The point is - I'm working, I'm doing, I'm improving.

If FOMO is the Fear Of Missing Out - I am looking for a new acronym,
JOKU - Joy Of Keeping UP.  Now that's On Fleck!

That's all ~ Thanks y'all!