JOMO: The key to happiness or a way to avoid social interaction?

Have you ever heard of JOMO (Joy of missing out)? It is a term that has become popular lately. It means ‘joy at missing something’ and refers to the feeling of enjoying being alone rather than feeling like you’re missing out on something fun that’s happening somewhere else. But did you know that a recent study has found that people who experience JOMO may also have high levels of social anxiety?

Social anxiety is when you feel nervous or uncomfortable in social situations, such as when you have to speak in public or meet new people. The researchers found that some people who enjoy JOMO do so because they want to avoid social interaction, not because they enjoy solitude. This could also explain why people experiencing JOMO also tend to use social media more often.

The researchers asked two different groups of people how they felt about being lonely and disconnected, as well as about their social anxiety, social media use, and life satisfaction. They found that some people who enjoy JOMO also experience social anxiety, which means they may feel nervous or uncomfortable in social situations.

However, not everyone who enjoys JOMO has social anxiety, the study found that around 10% of people who enjoyed being alone and disconnected did not experience social anxiety. But, even these people still reported moderate feelings of loneliness.

So why does this matter? Well, the researchers suggest that it’s important to understand why people experience JOMO. If it’s because they need to recharge energy and enjoy solitude, it’s healthy. But, if it’s because they want to avoid social situations and feel uncomfortable in them, it’s not healthy in the long run.

In general, it’s important to find a balance between social interaction and alone time. There is no “right” amount of time to spend alone or with friends, as everyone is different. But if you feel like your need to be alone is negatively affecting your life, it may help to talk to someone about it, like a friend or a school counselor. Remember, we all need a little time to ourselves from time to time!