Home Life Style What is JOMO? Gen Z’s Weird New Twist on FOMO

What is JOMO? Gen Z’s Weird New Twist on FOMO

0 comments
Generation Z has ditched FOMO (fear of missing out) in favor of JOMO (joy of missing out), including TikTok user @manondevelderx (pictured) from Belgium

For generations past, the thought of missing out on a social event might have triggered intense FOMO, or the fear of missing out.

However, use of the once-common abbreviation is fading as Generation Z, as people born between 1997 and 2012 are known, adopt a new lifestyle that reflects a shift in how they like to spend their time. their time compared to previous generations.

Dubbed JOMO – or the joy of missing out – the phenomenon indicates that younger people find pleasure in skipping large gatherings and parties, preferring to stay home and concentrate on activities such as cooking and watching movies.

The trend has quickly gained momentum on social media, with several posts dedicated to JOMO.

For example, user X said: ‘Listen, listen. JOMO (joy of missing out) for me as I get older and more antisocial and exhausted.’

It is perhaps unsurprising that so many Gen Zers are JOMO advocates considering their lack of appetite for alcohol, meaning a night out on the town is less appealing to them than their Millennial or Boomer counterparts.

A new study led by Charles Spence, professor of experimental psychology at the University of Oxford, found that Generation Z prefers non-alcoholic drinks and the acceptability of low-alcohol and now non-alcoholic drinks is currently at an all-time high.

The study, part of a broader Heineken campaign, surveyed 11,842 adults in five developed non-alcoholic beer markets: the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain, Japan and Brazil.

Generation Z has ditched FOMO (fear of missing out) in favor of JOMO (joy of missing out), including TikTok user @manondevelderx (pictured) from Belgium

Investigating Gen Z’s distaste for alcohol, experts at the Cleveland Clinic believe that Gen Z’s teetotal lifestyle stems from a desire to be physically and mentally healthy, and results in JOMO.

Another reason for the rise of JOMO, according to After BabelIt’s the arrival of the digital detox, where more and more people disconnect from social media and go offline. As a result, they are unlikely to compare their lives to others or feel left out when they answer “no” to a social engagement.

Meanwhile, Riley Gardiner, trends and communications expert and founder of No Strings Public Relations, has linked JOMO to the rise of remote work.

In an interview with FEMAIL, Riley said: ‘Generation Z is choosing JOMO over FOMO because they are realizing that missing out isn’t the end of the world. Are you really missing out if you didn’t want to go in the first place?

‘FOMO is a millennial term, and Gen Z quickly realized that pretending to have fun in nightclubs or dirty restaurants with big light bulbs and mason jars is just… not fun.

“Most people now work from home, so we’re not out all the time; that pressure to always be on, busy, and out constantly doing things just doesn’t work on the younger generation.

‘Why bother putting in the effort and draining your social battery for things you don’t enjoy?

‘Staying at home is not missing out: it’s a reset, it’s less expensive and, often, it’s more fun. You don’t have to pretend to laugh at anyone’s jokes when you’re on your couch.’

UK-based content creator Etalie Culverwell (pictured) took to TikTok to explain why

UK-based content creator Etalie Culverwell (pictured) took to TikTok to explain why she “loves JOMO”

TikTok user Elena, who goes by @thishouse5000, racked up more than two million views on her JOMO video.

TikTok user Elena, who goes by @thishouse5000, racked up more than two million views on her JOMO video.

“Obviously, social media makes it easy to feel like you’re falling behind or missing out on the ‘good times,’ but in reality, people are realizing that they can get just as much, if not more, satisfaction by just taking a respite.

Riley concluded: “It’s not about rejecting everything, it’s about rejecting the pressure to do everything.” So while FOMO made sense in a world where you wanted to be everywhere, JOMO is about finding joy by simply taking a step back and doing your thing for a change.’

In fact, TikTok is full of Gen Z content creators highlighting the different ways they enjoy missing out.

Toronto user Elena, who goes by @thishouse5000, racked up more than two million views in one shorten of herself spending time at home and making tea with the words: ‘JOMO: The joy of missing out’.

On the other hand, Manon from Belgium shared a tiktok explaining that the “perfect” friendship combination is with one person who has a JOMO perspective and another who aligns with the FOMO stance.

Etalie Culverwell also joined the trend, writing, “Thankfully, my fear of missing out has turned into realizing that I prefer a quiet night to pamper myself and watch a romantic comedy.”

The British content creator added in the caption: “I love JOMO.”

Others have taken to X to share their thoughts on JOMO, with one saying: ‘Instead of FOMO (fear of missing out), I aspire to experience JOMO (joy of missing out).

1737451004 377 What is JOMO Gen Zs Weird New Twist on FOMO

1737451004 484 What is JOMO Gen Zs Weird New Twist on FOMO

1737451005 92 What is JOMO Gen Zs Weird New Twist on FOMO

JOMO followers took to X to explain why they adopted this mindset, with one saying: 'In 2025, let FOMO give way to JOMO. Don't follow the crowd

JOMO followers took to X to explain why they adopted this mindset, with one saying: ‘In 2025, let FOMO give way to JOMO. Don’t follow the crowd

A second wrote: ‘In 2025, let FOMO (fear of missing out) give way to JOMO (joy of missing out).’ Don’t follow the crowd.

‘Have you ever heard of JOMO? The joy of missing out? Yes that’s me… these days I just want to be where my peace is,’ said a third.

JOMO’s rise among Gen Z comes as it was revealed that students are ditching cheap booze and club nights during freshers week, with many opting for a teetotal experience.

Many of Scotland’s universities have replaced freshers’ week with ‘Welcome Week’, offering students a program of events that reflect modern trends, rather than all-night binges and parties.

In Bristol, student newspaper Epigram shared information about the “best no-drink events for sober students” during freshers week. These activities include cold water swimming, drum and bass boxing, and yoga in the park.

Students have taken to TikTok to share their sober living experiences in college while also revealing their best tips for avoiding alcohol.

In Edinburgh, Stirling, Strathclyde and St Andrews, students can take part in other non-alcoholic activities, including parties, sing-alongs and Taylor Swift tribute events.

Yoga classes have proven to be a particularly popular option, with some universities even offering ‘puppy yoga’ which includes ’30 minutes of puppy cuddles and yoga poses’ for students.

For those interested in sharing their green credentials, other universities are organizing vegan picnics and walking tours with local eco-friendly businesses.

Sai Shraddha Viswanathan, president of the National Union of Students of Scotland, said: “It is encouraging to hear examples of increasingly varied welcome weeks, reflecting Scotland’s diverse student body, which includes carers, parents and people of different faiths and perspectives.

‘As students struggle with housing crises, the cost of living and lack of education funding, they need and deserve to have fun and let off steam.

“There’s nothing inherently wrong with partying, but this trend toward a more diverse range of activities benefits everyone.”

Welcome Week has been introduced in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Stirling, Abertay, Napier, Heriot-Watt, Queen Margaret and the west of Scotland.

In Edinburgh, the students’ association stated: ‘We do not use Fresher terminology. “All official events will be held under the theme ‘Welcome Week’ – a chance to have fun, make friends and discover what’s on offer.”

There are visits to a farmers’ market, a “book and coffee tour” to explore the town’s literary heritage, pony rides through the Pentland Hills and sustainable food demonstrations.

The only official pub crawls are organized by the Actuarial and Chemical Engineering Societies.

You may also like