So get this, I actually sat and read the other day. Took me long enough. Let’s ignore first the fact that my list of completed books closely parallels the number of years I’ve known how to read. Instead, let’s focus on my hours of down-time on a work hiatus the last few weeks. It was the perfect time to do what I have always found romantic: hunker down with a good book and a cup of tea next to my favorite window on a sunny morning. Maybe a cat will come snuggle me and curl up in the blanket next to me.
Well, I don’t have a cat, and my mornings tend to start well past sunrise, but those aren’t the real issue. The root of my problem is a case of FOMO, quite possibly chronic in the millennial generation, yet profoundly treatable. I’m talking of course about the Fear Of Missing Out.
When presented with a task, I see two basic options: dive in and accomplish, or see what else is going on. Classic fight or flight. Usually, I can almost always find something more fun to do, and thus, I flee. Who wants to be stuck trying to fend off frustration or boredom when there is something fun going on? A.K.A. FOMO. The catch: I forego the contentment to sit down and take in some well-crafted words off a page.
FOMO asks: Blog or decorate the tree?
The discovery couldn’t come at a better time. Emma and I are starting to blog on this here site–some positive energy that came out of this month’s down-time. Even as I type, I am tempted to flee into the next episode of The Walking Dead, but that’s not where I’m going. Diving in, committing to even the small tasks, and the willingness to practice are essential to developing roots and wings. My FOMO on the latest pleasure-seeking activity could stunt my growth. Who knows how long my reading trend might last, maybe through this next book. At least, I held on long enough to articulate why it means something to me.
Roots & Wings 