"Radio Instead of OTT, Handwritten Letters Instead of KakaoTalk"... More Gen Zers Are Finding the "Joy of Missing Out"

JOMO, the Choice to Miss Out, Spreads on Social Media Among People in Their 20s and 30s
Saving Money and Time, More Young People Turn to Offline Hobbies
"Breaking Free from Quick Stimulation to Think Only About Myself"

A growing number of people in Generation Z are choosing to deliberately "miss out" to escape the pressure to keep up with trends.

On the 22nd, a post published on the 20th saying that "the practice of missing out is quietly becoming popular among people in their 20s and 30s" spread across social media (SNS). The concept introduced in the post is "JOMO (Joy of Missing Out)," or the pleasure of missing out. It is the opposite of "FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)," the anxiety that everyone else is having experiences you are missing. Rather than trying to experience everything, people who practice JOMO focus on what they consider important and, when necessary, deliberately give things up or distance themselves from them.

People in Their 20s and 30s Choose "Happy Giving Up"... Focusing on Time Alone

Photo for illustrative purposes. Pexels.

The concept, which first spread among Generation Z in the United States, has recently been mentioned more often in South Korea as well. Online communities and social media are seeing a steady stream of related content, from posts explaining the meaning of JOMO to posts sharing everyday examples of putting it into practice. Some also see JOMO as overlapping with the lifestyle of "voluntary outsiders" who prioritize time alone.

One example of how to practice it, shared by a poster identified as A, is listening to the radio instead of using an over-the-top (OTT) streaming service, cooking for oneself instead of ordering delivery, and writing a handwritten letter instead of using KakaoTalk. Other examples include having a long conversation with a friend while keeping one's phone on silent, or spending time looking out the window at a cafe on a rainy day. A called these efforts to deliberately cut back on things "happy giving up."

JOMO Instagram search screen. Instagram.

A said, "It's time to think only about myself, rather than chasing quick stimulation," adding, "If you keep walking your own path instead of focusing on outward glamour, you may encounter unexpected opportunities." Online users responded with comments such as, "We need to learn that happiness comes in many forms," "We live in a society conditioned to seek intense stimulation, but in reality, we have to keep clearing things out to make room for something new," and "Having a direction and philosophy of your own is essential for living your life."

JOMO is being discussed beyond everyday life, including in the realm of investing. Amid increased volatility in the stock market, sticking to one's own principles instead of following the investment trends around you is cited as an example of JOMO.

JOMO Becomes a "Budgeting Strategy"... Young People Take Up More Offline Hobbies

Photo to help readers understand the article. Pexels

A survey in the United States found that JOMO has already become a mainstream attitude. In August, the U.S. essay platform PapersOwl surveyed 3,000 people aged 18 to 28. Of the respondents, 50% said they were fine with missing out on something, or even preferred it. Just 27% said they felt anxious about missing out, meaning JOMO tendencies were about twice as common.

Asked why they enjoyed missing out, 61% said it helped them save money, while 60% said it allowed them to regain time and energy. Meanwhile, 77% said the idea of "soft hermitting"—turning down plans and spending quiet time at home—sounded like them. The reasons differed by gender: 50% of men cited the cost of going out, while 61% of women pointed to the fatigue of socializing.

In addition, according to YPulse, a U.S. research firm focused on young people, 75% of those aged 18 to 24 and 55% of those aged 13 to 17 said they wanted to take up more offline hobbies and live more analog lives this year. Popular examples include reading print books, making scrapbooks, cooking, knitting, and walking without earbuds.

Jamie Thompson, director of cultural and behavioral insights at PapersOwl, said, "The way people describe 'JOMO' is not just a wellness philosophy; it's more like a budgeting strategy that also makes you feel better."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.