The Liberation of Letting Go: Finding Joy in What You Choose to Miss

Have you ever felt that nagging anxiety when you miss a social gathering, decline an invitation, or don't immediately respond to a text? That feeling has a name—FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)—and it might be silently sabotaging your recovery journey.

In this enlightening episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric Osterlind explore a powerful mindset shift from FOMO to JOMO (Joy of Missing Out). They reveal how the constant pressure to be everywhere and do everything can lead to overwhelm, anxiety, and disconnection from our true values.

The hosts share how social media intensifies this fear by showing everyone's highlight reels, making us feel like we're falling behind or missing crucial experiences. This comparison trap hits especially hard during recovery, whispering lies that rest equals laziness or declining invitations means losing connection.

But there's hope in embracing JOMO—the conscious choice to find peace in saying no and truly meaning it. Unlike FOMO, which research links to lower life satisfaction and poor self-esteem, JOMO helps build emotional resilience and alignment with personal values.

Through six practical steps, Duane and Eric guide listeners on how to recognize FOMO's presence, identify what they're truly afraid of missing, and shift perspective to see what they gain by setting boundaries. This isn't about avoidance—it's about intention and making choices from clarity rather than fear.

The hosts emphasize that recovery doesn't mean you're behind; you're exactly where you need to be. Sometimes the most powerful action is choosing peace over pressure and stillness over striving. JOMO isn't disconnection—it's reconnection to yourself, your needs, and what truly matters.

For those ready to practice this transformative skill, the episode points to a downloadable worksheet and invites listeners to join The Addicted Mind community for deeper support. Because recovery isn't something you have to face alone—and sometimes, the quiet joy of letting go is exactly what your healing journey needs.

Download: FROM FOMO TO JOMO WORKSHEET

Join our Deep Dive in the TAM+ Community.

Click Here to Join TAM + Community. 

Key Topics

Understanding the difference between FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and JOMO (Joy of Missing Out)

How social media intensifies FOMO and impacts recovery

Research showing FOMO's connection to lower life satisfaction and poor self-esteem

Six practical steps to shift from FOMO to JOMO mindset

Making choices based on values rather than fear

The importance of community in recovery

Finding peace in intentional choices rather than reactive decisions

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Supporting Resources:

If you live in California, Idaho, Vermont, or Florida and are looking for counseling or therapy, please visit Novus Mindful Life Counseling and Recovery Center.

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