FOMO vs. JOMO: How does kiasu culture stand up to the new-age desire for wellness?

As Wi-Fi is available even on planes now – the traditional sanctuary for harried executives – taking time out for oneself is more than ever a deliberate choice. Missing out on some things allows one to have more energy and mental capacity for other things. It's all about prioritisation.

Jennifer Chen

Editor

Watches & Fashion Editor

The two absolutely go hand in hand: just witness the many people on Instagram who take perverse pleasure in making others suffer serious FOMO when they are ostensibly in a JOMO state. After all, what's a far-flung resort vacation if you don't upload daily photos of yourself #disconnecting on a perfectly pristine beach and sitting by the pool doing nothing more vigorous than sucking down pina coladas?

There’s always the question of “but, what if?” Anxiety can be a very persistent beast, and not missing out might temporarily soothe it.

Weets Goh

Writer

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Denise Kok

Associate Editor

Both FOMO and JOMO are required for the wheels of capitalism to keep turning. Once one has successfully satisfied maximalist expectations, one can check into a remote resort that charges $1,800 a night for a chance to fully unplug.

Sub-Editor

Jomo presupposes Fomo. You can’t fully appreciate the joy of opting out if you’ve never opted in. But that has never stopped each camp from getting green-eyed at the other – especially in parenthood. So FTWMs envy SAHMs for freed-up time for wellness, while SAHMs are peeved at that sentiment because they sacrificed their careers. One person’s Jomo is another person’s Fomo. Complicated, really.

(Previously debated: How much are you willing to pay for chicken rice?)

Photo by Haley Phelps on Unsplash