Breakup and Rebound, a social media detox story

FOMO. Fear of Missing Out. It is the anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often FOMO. It is an anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may now be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on social media. If you analyze the above definition taken out of the internet, you might recall an old saying. The grass is greener on the other side. Isn't this what leads to FOMO? While you ponder that question, let me bring you back to the present. I plead guilty of being tormented by this strange phenomenon. Many of you might be fighting this fear. I have tried several times to shake off this anxiety, but it proved a more difficult addiction than smoking. In such a situation, a story about emerging victorious in this struggle is always encouraging.

My friend boasted about his achievement after disconnecting from the social media. Social media detox. He called the victory. At first, he was reluctant in divulging more information about his success story and evaded by providing vague answers. When I refused to back down, he admitted. "I broke up with my girlfriend." What does have a breakup to do with social media detox? I was confused. So he explained. After the breakup, they were still messaging using the social media platforms. It became tiresome very soon. My friend turned inquisitive according to him and jealous according to the rest of the world. So he was regularly checking for her messages and updates on the social media. At one point, he realized his folly and decided to take a break from the social media. This way, he rebounded from a low end, if not the lowest end, in his life. Thus, he has conquered FOMO. 

If I were a kind human being, then I would have congratulated him on his victory. But I have not mastered the art of savoring a moment. Because of this reason, I had more questions for him. If it has been a while since the social media detox, why can't he get back there again? He has stayed away for too long to have a balanced view of handling things. On hearing this, he turned gloomy. He was afraid to get back on these platforms and find out she has completely moved on. Instead, he is happy to live in ignorance. Ignorance is bliss.

Photo Courtesy: raymondclarkeimages