We are lured by modern culture to not do the things that matter most. Even when doing the things that matter, there is a sadness because we can't do it all. We have a choice between denial and distraction or living meaningfully with a sense of disappointment. The joy of missing out comes from being conscious of what we give up, giving it a greater sense of meaning. Instead of FOMO, embrace JOMO and say no to things to prioritize our limited time. Some things matter, but we can't do them all, so we must choose a handful. This is analogous to dating and the trap of seeking a soulmate to solve all problems.
Joey is a young creative living in Australia who can’t decide which hat to wear. Should it be songwriting, skateboarding, acting, or should he focus more on his day job as a retail clerk? Fitting everything in during the week seems impossible and he feels guilty when he can’t cross everything off his checklist. On this episode of How To!, co-host Amanda Ripley brings in journalist Oliver Burkeman, the author of 4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. He explains how he too once wanted to do it all, but eventually realized that it’s just not feasible. As Joey learns, letting go of some things and focusing on what really matters can actually lead to the ‘joy of missing out.’
If you liked this episode, check out: “How To Never Miss a Deadline”
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