The fear of missing out (FOMO) is something that everyone experiences from time to time. You may worry about missing out on a fun experience, meeting up with distant friends, career opportunities, or long-term goals. We all worry about missing out; however, if you are in recovery, your FOMO may look different than someone who is not in recovery.
Recovery can feel scary at times, even slightly overwhelming. You worked hard in treatment; you faced obstacles and challenges that you probably never thought you would consider. Now back out into society, you have probably realized that some aspects of your old life may no longer be healthy choices for you. Many things you loved may now seem unavailable. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind if the fear of missing out creeps up in post-treatment.
Recovery Is a Process
Recovery is a long-term process. What you fear the first day after leaving treatment will probably be different than what you fear five years later. Triggers can change just like you change as a person. Stick with the process and continue to face your challenges with the tools you have learned. The fear of missing out will change with time. You may even realize that you do not miss certain activities and situations or certain people who triggered dangerous behaviors.
Remember Your Gratitude
Being thankful for the process is a great way to keep your mind focused on your goals. It can be easy to get caught up in the craziness of life and fail to remember how grateful we should be to even be in that moment.
If you find yourself feeling unhappy about not being able to do certain things, remember where you were when you were doing everything you wanted to. Remember how you felt facing an active addiction and mental health struggles. You have worked so hard and made fantastic progress. Reflect on that process and be thankful for the boundaries and choices you are currently making.
Be Willing to Not Have It All
Recovery is an amazing but challenging journey. When you entered treatment, you probably did not fully realize the person you would become. You fought your addiction with everything you had; you faced your mental health challenges and trauma from the first day of treatment. Many days were probably uncomfortable and hard, but they got easier. Now that you are in recovery, you will likely face hurdles you never saw coming. You may miss a concert, a party, or a vacation, all in the name of your sobriety and your health, both physical and mental. You may find yourself needing to accept that you cannot have it all at all times. As you work through recovery, you may find you become more confident in your ability to make healthy and safe choices. However, sometimes you will need to miss out on things that others are doing for the sake of staying on the path that you chose and wanted.
One Thing at a Time
If you are starting to feel major FOMO over what your friends and family are experiencing, try to remember that recovery is best if you take life one experience at a time. Focus on your health and your mental well-being first. Take some time to acknowledge and celebrate your incredible milestones. Working through addiction is a significant accomplishment. Remember that rarely do mental health challenges and trauma simply melt away after treatment. Keep working through obstacles, focusing on your sobriety, and making healthy choices.
Everyone experiences recovery differently. The pace that you go in your recovery might be different than the pace of someone else. Try to remember that triggers are still real after treatment, and you need to stay mindful of the situations you place yourself in. You worked extremely hard; remember the path and the goals you have set out before you.
Stay in the Moment
Staying in the moment is a wonderful way to fight that dreaded fear of missing out. When we stay in the moment, we can better acknowledge what we are currently doing. Sometimes when we focus too much on what others are doing, we fail to fully experience the great things we are already doing.
Staying in the moment has many great benefits. It can help us to acknowledge our thoughts and feelings as we experience them. We can then learn patterns and triggers that can help us work through our sobriety and continue making healthy choices.
As you work through recovery, you may begin to experience the fear of missing out (FOMO) when you see others experiencing activities you used to enjoy. Many times after treatment, we realize that the situations we placed ourselves in were not healthy. Now that you are sober and living a healthy lifestyle, you may not want to do some of the things your friends and family choose to do. Remember to stay in the moment of your recovery and be grateful for the journey you are on. Triggers can change with time, so staying vigilant is essential. Take one thing at a time, and enjoy the process you are experiencing. Here at The Guest House, we understand that you may face challenges and situations that you still need professional support with during recovery. We are here to help you. Call us today to learn more about our different treatment options at (855) 483-7800.