Exhausted with the anxiety that comes with the fear of missing out on good times, many are relieved to stay at home and experience the joy of missing out
In the early 2010’s, FOMO broke out, where people worried about being left out socially. Many always saying ‘YES’ to plans. Showing up even if they were mentally exhausted, constantly socialising with others… what drove them to such an extent was the fear of missing out (FOMO) on a good experience.
Fast forward to 2026, and there is a visible shift in attitude, plans and priorities. People no longer have a constant anxiety that they missed out on something great. That’s where ROMO (Relief of Missing Out) and JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) take a seat at the table. Change Of Plans
Picture this: It is a Friday night and the only thing keeping you company is a warm cuppa tea with a movie on play, while your friends are out club-hopping. That screams relief, not regret.
“There was a time when my calendar being full felt like success. Now, an empty evening feels like relief,” says Richelle Fernandes, a finance student in Mumbai. Somewhere between burnout and bandwidth, missing out stopped feeling like a loss— and started feeling like control. Earlier, it would leave people anxious, but now it feels relaxing. The quiet satisfaction of cancelled plans is more comforting than the chaos of finding the right ‘fit’ to go out.
FOMO BLUES
The fear of missing out was not just a social fear; it was more of a cultural pressure that made one feel boxed in. Earlier, everyone would post on social media about their whereabouts, plans, outfit pics, date nights, long drives and solo trips — it would let you attend every event digitally, but definitely make you feel physically left out. “I used to feel bad saying no to plans, like I was missing out on something important. Now, staying in feels like I’m choosing myself instead of performing for everyone else,” says Elviya D’souza, a third-year arts student.
A Slippery Slope
Watching people online on social media would automatically let the viewer desire the lifestyle that they have. It is a slippery slope where once you get addicted to watching others have the time of their lives online, you too would want to be ‘outside’. Hence, even missing one outing would induce the fear that you could have missed something life-altering, when in reality you just missed a movie night.
Humans are social animals. The feeling of belonging and validation are social currencies. However the dull side is that things that look stable would then end up looking unstable to the naked eye because FOMO thrived on visibility—the more we saw, the more we felt left out. “I don’t think we hate socialising—we just hate the pressure that comes with it,” adds Elviya.
Burnout, Overload & Burdens
The turning point arose when people started ‘protecting their peace’, because attending every event would lead to burnout and exhaustion. Social burnout is real. Many people do not realise, it starts slow and ends deep. From working to keeping up with social circles and simultaneously pretending to have a picture-perfect life online… one would soon be at the brink of a mental burnout. “Going out started to feel less about having fun and more about documenting it. At some point, I realised I was more relaxed at home than at most parties,” says Rosanne Fortez, a Medical student from Ireland.
Suddenly waking up in the morning feels like a task, working at your desk feels like a burden and wondering what to cook at night makes you feel exhausted. It’s a vicious cycle that doesn’t stop. It only gets worse, because people didn’t suddenly become introverted—they became exhausted. There are few brave ones that break the cycle and stay home, investing in their mental and physical well-being.
Freedom vs Disconnection
What began as a conscious choice to protect one’s energy has quietly evolved into a lifestyle—one that values stillness over stimulation, solitude over social noise. Cozy nights, solo rituals, and quiet routines offer a kind of comfort that crowded rooms often fail to deliver. In learning to enjoy their own company, many are discovering that “home” isn’t a place or a party—it’s a state of mind.
“The shift from FOMO to JOMO reflects a growing awareness of emotional boundaries. While choosing solitude can be restorative, it’s important that it doesn’t become a default avoidance of meaningful social connection,” says Jessica Lobo, a behavioural psychologist.
Perhaps the real balance lies somewhere in between. In knowing when to step back—and when to step out. Because while peace is found within, it is often strengthened in the presence of others. Missing out, it seems, isn’t the problem anymore. Forgetting to show up—occasionally—might be.
Hard Facts
· 49% of urban Indians prefer staying home or small gatherings over large outings (YouGov India Lifestyle Survey)
· 67% of young adults feeling overwhelmed by stress (American Psychological Association 2024 report)
· 40%surge in searches for “quiet life” and “slow living” in 2025 (Pinterest Predicts 2025 Report)
