It’s a beautiful summer evening, the breeze is soothing and sultry. I’m parking my car on the way back from dinner, and there’s an abnormally abundant number of parking spots available in my neighborhood.
Instant thought – people are out having a good time in this summer evening and I should be out there too.
This FOMO anxiety is the real deal. I feel like everyone is living a better life than me. Having more fun. I feel guilty for not finding something to do to enjoy that summer evening, even though I had just had a lovely dinner with my partner.
It’s a whole new angle on my anxiety that I’m just now starting to be aware of. It’s connected to why I over-plan weekends. Or why during the current thing (dinner, stroll, dancing), I’m planning the next one. I’m always thinking about the optimal way to get everything in.
Really really detracts from my ability to be present.
And I think that if I were able to be present with my current activity, serendipity would happen and I would find myself enjoying that evening in a healthy and organic way. For sometimes if you over-plan, you’re underwhelmed, and disappointed.
I’m thrilled to be observing these thought patterns. Awareness is always the first step.