By this time in our year, there have surely been times where for any reason you have not been able to accompany your friends at some sort of outing or event. You begin to speculate what they are doing without you, how much fun they’re having, the memories that they’re making. Before you know it, you are wallowing in the depths of FOMO – the fear of missing out. Here are some ways to dispel that feeling.
1. Indulge in media
When you have extra time at the end of the day when you are not going out, this can be a great opportunity to catch up on that show you have been meaning to start, or to see that movie you have been hearing about. This can be a great way to destress after the day and relax your mind.
2. Read a good book
You can always use spare time that you are not spending with friends to pick up a good, insightful book. You can find books for casual reading at the library and available to purchase at the bookstore. It is good to take time to stimulate your mind.
3. Take in some culture
When you find yourself wanting something to do, you can always take advantage of Nashville’s many cultural offerings. Some examples include the Parthenon in Centennial Park and its impressive collection of American art, the Frist Art Museum downtown, Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage about 15 minutes north of downtown, and the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Many of these places are free to get to when you take advantage of the free transit with a physical Commodore Card.
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4. Meditate
If you prefer to stay in your dorm, you can use that alone time to tend to your mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. All Vanderbilt students can take advantage of Headspace, an online platform that promotes mindfulness and mental health.
In conclusion, to fight FOMO, it is important to remember that you have options that do not revolve around other people. It is okay to not attend every single function or social event. Your worth as a person is not tied to the number of parties you go to or dinners you have with others. It is acceptable to take some time to tend to yourself – you’ll thank yourself for it.