Tag Archives: mental-health

Whats the Big Deal Around “FOMO”

Dear Earth,

Today I am going to take a break from Earth and venture into the minds of teenagers!

We live in an era where the rapid advancement of social media and technology has revolutionized how we connect, express ourselves, and find meaning in life. These platforms offer incredible opportunities to share stories, discover new ideas, and stay informed. However, they’ve also given rise to a troubling reality: many in Generation Z struggle to see their own worth outside of their online personas.

This growing dependence on external validation has led to the widespread experience of FOMO—the Fear of Missing Out.

When I first heard the term “FOMO,” I instinctively thought it referred to some kind of physical health condition. It sounded serious, like a disease that eats away at your body. Ironically, in a way, it does. But instead of targeting the body, FOMO takes its toll on the mind. To my surprise (and demise), I discovered that FOMO is shorthand for the Fear of Missing Out—a psychological phenomenon that can consume your thoughts and erode your sense of self-worth.

The Psychological Impact of FOMO

In extreme cases, FOMO can lead to unhealthy behaviors, such as overcommitting to activities, prioritizing online presence over real-life connections, or experiencing burnout from constantly trying to “keep up.” It’s a relentless cycle of comparing yourself to others, feeling like you’re falling behind, and scrambling to prove otherwise.

But why does FOMO have such a powerful hold on us? My theory is that it stems from a lack of confidence and self-worth. Humans are naturally social creatures, and the idea of being excluded triggers deep feelings of rejection. We crave connection and validation, which makes us vulnerable to the critics of social media. Every scroll reminds us of what we’re not doing, who we’re not with, or what we don’t have.

Over time, this constant exposure creates a false narrative: that everyone else is living a more exciting, fulfilling life. And if we’re not part of it, we must be doing something wrong.

FOMO and Self-Worth

At its core, FOMO isn’t just about missing out on events or opportunities—it’s about what those things represent. It’s about wanting to feel included, important, and valued. When we tie our sense of self-worth to the approval of others or the appearance of having an enviable life, we set ourselves up for disappointment.

In many ways, FOMO reflects an internal struggle. It’s a sign that we’re looking outward for validation instead of finding value within ourselves. At some point, experiencing FOMO might indicate a deeper issue: a lack of confidence and self-acceptance.

In conclusion, while social media offers a powerful way to connect and share experiences, it also creates an environment where FOMO thrives and undermines our sense of self-worth. The constant comparison to others and the pressure to measure up can have a lasting psychological impact, leaving us feeling inadequate and disconnected. To break free from this cycle, it’s crucial to focus on cultivating self-acceptance and finding fulfillment from within. By embracing who we are, rather than seeking validation from external sources, we can reclaim our confidence and create a healthier relationship with both ourselves and the digital world around us.

Have a Great Thanksgiving!

Best,

Jessica Ngok

Building Careers in the Shadow of Climate Change

Dear Earth,

There’s a question we’ve all been asked a hundred times—“What do you want to be when you grow up?” For some, it might spark excitement, a chance to imagine a life as a doctor, scientist, or engineer. But for many of us, the answer is more complicated. When I think about the future, my mind doesn’t just drift to the career path or the dream job I’d like to pursue. Instead, a deeper fear rises up: Will there even be a future for me to build a career in?

Climate change isn’t a distant problem and it wasn’t to begin with. It’s here, and it’s reshaping everything. Natural disasters once considered rare and extreme are becoming the norm. Take, for instance, hurricanes like Milton and Helene that struck with a ferocity unimaginable only a decade ago. They wiped out communities, displaced families, and caused billions in damage. Thousands of people had to rebuild their lives from scratch, and for many, it wasn’t just homes that were lost—it was jobs, businesses, entire industries that had to start over or disappear altogether. Imagine working toward a career, only to see the very foundation of that career wiped out by a storm.

Image is adapted from: AP News Hurricane Milton

And it’s not just hurricanes. We’re seeing floods in places where they never happened before. Just think about the Sahara Desert—once a symbol of dryness, sand, and relentless heat, now experiencing unprecedented flooding. The irony of one of the driest places on Earth being submerged is like a warning bell ringing for us all. It tells us that climate change is a global force, ignoring boundaries, affecting places we thought were immune.

Photo is adapted from: CNN News Sahara Desert

This kind of instability creates uncertainty for everyone, especially for young people who are preparing to build their lives, careers, and futures. We’re constantly told to dream big and to reach for careers that will allow us to make an impact, to build something meaningful. But it’s hard to make plans when the world we’ll inherit feels so fragile.

In the past, ambition was encouraged with the promise that the future was ours to shape. But now, the future doesn’t feel as guaranteed. We’re told that to make a difference, we need to become engineers, scientists, environmental activists—but even these roles face unique pressures in a world that may need to spend more time managing disasters than innovating. Even if we choose careers aimed at solving these problems, we still have to wonder if we’ll be equipped for what lies ahead.

Facing the fear of an uncertain future isn’t easy, and sometimes it feels like an overwhelming weight. But perhaps in that fear, we’ll find the motivation to build a career with purpose, not just for ourselves but for the generations that follow. Maybe the question isn’t so much “What do you want to be when you grow up?” but rather, “How can you shape the future we all deserve?”

Sincerely,

Jessica Ngok