Fear of missing out is the worst.  When we concern ourselves with whatever other people are doing – where they are living, working, socializing – we miss out on the moment.  Each moment we miss is time we are losing from our own precious lives and time on the planet.  The fact FOMO is such a popular expression highlights how much it pervades our lives.  It’s high time to eradicate this wasteful and inefficient use of energy.

Here are 5 tips to kick FOMO to the curb for good:

1. Do what YOU love!
FOMO is only possible when you are not where you want to be. If you are living a life you love and doing what matters to you, then you won’t think about other people and concern yourself with the value of their lifestyle and choices. Use some down time and meditate (if you can) to really surface and prioritize what is important to you. Then focus on that!

2. Don’t believe the hype
Wise old Buddha said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.”  The grass is always greener if we think that way. Instagram and Facebook don’t make this easier as we compare our behind the scenes lifestyle with other peoples glamorous travel experiences, witty stories and party highlights.  Put social media into perspective. No one is going to post their pajama pictures watching The Night Of eating Dominoes.

3. Listen to yourself
Think – if something is meant to be, it will be.  Don’t torture yourself with thinking there might be a potential networking contact or love interest at an event if your heart is not in going. You feel the way you do for a reason so trust your intuition and your body. Don’t waste your precious time and energy if you are simply are not in the mood – doing whatever feels right for you is the wisest decision.

4. Be present!
For a moment just be still and breathe. Notice your surroundings — the sounds in the room, how your body feels, the light outside. Sometimes we do not pause and acknowledge the calmness of the present moment. When we are living in the now, we do not worry about the future of feel guilt or regret about the past. Regularly applied, mindfulness makes us feel peaceful and alive.

5. Use it to drive positive change
Recurring FOMO is perhaps a sign something needs to change in your life.  Use this trigger to your advantage. What does it tell you – move to New York, go back to school, start a blog about your love of vintage Chanel? Maybe something is missing in your life and its time for you to go for it.

You block the flow of opportunity, creation and miracles when we focus on other people and what they are doing. Use your energy to think of ways to become your best and highest self. Claim your joy by focusing on what matters: you!