The Fear of Missing Out

Lately, the holiday spirits and Christmas shopping fever got me. The gushing wind of consumerism sweeping me away from my intentional purchasing. These adverts, endless social media posters of “ Buy Now! “ made me feel as if I am about to lose something important that I may regret in the future.

I’ve been eyeing a pair of designer jeans for a month and never took the courage to add it to my cart, it was just sitting in my wish list. I kept reminding myself that I have 3 pairs of pants which are enough although one of them is a little worn out already. Ive been going back and forth with the idea of replacing it. Few days ago I checked my wish list and to my surprised the jeans were on discounted price. Although the price wouldn’t dent much my pocket I was still undecided, for some reason I couldn’t hit that “buy now “ button.

It’s been two days since the price fell on red tag and yet here I am still undecided. I checked my closet, reviewed my existing clothes started from tops to outer wear it’s my way on deciding whether to purchase, donate or keep. Hours later, I finally decided to purchase the pants I was excited, I got my wardrobe figured out what I’ll wear it with or pair it with my loafers.

As soon as I opened my laptop went straight to my wish list and imagining my holidays rocking those pants, the item was sold.

My heart sunk and loudly verbalized my dismay “Nooooo waaaaay!!!!” I felt annoyed and couldn’t believe after spending time deciding, it was gone. I was confronted of the idea that I’ll never have the same pair ever again.

My annoyance turned to irritated and felt the usual regret “If only I decided immediately!” , “If only I made a reservation” ,“ If only this and that...” I was in the denial stage for the next 30 minutes frantically scrolling and searching online the same pair. Then I stopped.

I questioned my actions “What am I doing?” .

There was the fear of losing, the fear of not having it, the fear of missing out definitely, this panic mode was driven by FEAR.

Delaying my decisions made me regret which most of us felt in one way or another.

It is exactly what these brands, sales and marketers were trying to achieve - to influence our purchasing decisions. The idea of losing or regretting at the end of the day.

But then I remembered there were a couple of things I wasn’t able to get over the few months - nordic design side table, sneakers, pull overs etc and yet I am okay today. So what exactly am I missing out? What am I fearful of?

Maybe, I missed out some really good deals.

This sporadic behaviour that leads us to regrets that we don’t actually need. I wasn’t able to buy this and that, maybe because I didn’t feel the urgency or need for it. If I knew I needed it that time, I wouldn’t even put it in my “wish list” I probably went straight to the physical shop and bought it.

So what exactly are we fearing this time of the year?

We will still be the same person if we missed out the sale, we still have the same likes if we can’t afford it , we are still the same after all those crazy red tags are over.

Here are things I am sure of - I don’t have to worry about my budget, what to do with the ill fitting clothes, how to organize trinkets, stressing on storages etc. None of these will exist in my time and space.

The fear of not having or losing is what over consumerism is all about. We might regret of a really good deal but try to look deeper in your decision making maybe a part of you truly believes you don’t need it after all.