Vacation mode on.
The Joy Of Getting Out.
Blog by
Mariël Ganzeboom
From FOMO and JOMO to JOGO: the joy of getting out. I wish everyone this (hopefully) new phenomenon. Enjoying slipping away for a bit. Enjoying autonomy and control over your own life. Reflection and self-development. Letting go and connecting. Living your own life. I’m already excited! And how about you, are you open to joining in on this new trend?!
How much can a person handle?
After the corona period, I heard the term Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) for the first time. From not being allowed, able, or needing to do anything to suddenly wanting to be everywhere again and missing out on nothing. I’m sure I was susceptible to it too: making up for lost parties, drinks, socializing, while I had also come to appreciate the peace and quiet during the lockdowns. I had promised myself not to join in the madness anymore. I thought I was ready for the Joy Of Missing Out (JOMO). As much as that’s possible in this time with all the social media cannons (also known as attention suckers). When I’m in a philosophical mood, I sometimes think about the question, ‘How much social media can a person handle?’ All those burnout-like symptoms, anxiety disorders, and depressions that young people, but also many working people, face — where does that come from? Is FOMO part of it? Would it help to stretch towards JOMO? And maybe, with the holiday season around the corner, we can shift to JOGO: the Joy Of Getting Out. I’m diving in and discovering the positive effects of JOGO.
➡️ Enjoying slipping away for a bit
A holiday is the perfect moment to get away for a while. A few weeks to fill your schedule with activities that make you happy and give you energy. No alarm clock, comfy sweatpants, slippers, long lunches, staring at the horizon, listening to singing birds, and just no expectations. Buteven slipping away alone for a moment (family escape); just going to the supermarket by yourself, having that cup of coffee on the terrace, can give you a real sense of freedom. It’s a temporary break from your duties at work, school or as a caregiver. It calms the mind, brings peace, and is a great stress reliever.
➡️ On autonomy and taking control
The feeling of freedom, being at the helm and making your own choices, is according to psychologists one of our basic needs. Having autonomy has a positive impact on our functioning and well-being. A lack of autonomy is linked to illness and mental disorders. Autonomy can be undermined by things like deadlines, rewards, being monitored, commands, and guidelines. Things you’ll definitely run into at work (or in your studies). But during the holidays, that strong need to control your own life finally comes into its own. Want to go left or right, go canoeing or read a book, get up with the first rays of sunshine or sleep in? Just having the feeling that you have choices is already healing.
➡️ On reflection and self-knowledge
Holidays are the perfect time for reflection. Are you still happy with how things are going, or is there something you’d prefer to change? It doesn’t even have to be a conscious process. Even without realizing it, you can reflect while walking in the mountains or at the foot of a waterfall. Think about what is truly important to you. You need peace and quiet for reflection—time to take in what you see around you. Feel that you’re standing on a mountain or by the splashing water. That can give you a boost and help you to reflect.
➡️ On letting go and connecting
Letting go of daily worries helps you get closer to yourself and also to those around you. Research into happiness (which is growing continuously) consistently shows one factor that makes us happy: other people. Our psyche is wired for social contact. You feel safe and happy when you’re together with people you care about. There’s more opportunity for that on vacation. You talk more with each other, and you judge the quality of these conversations more positively compared to your working life. The more time you spend with loved ones during your holiday, the healthier and happier you feel.
Will a little more JOGO help?
Speaking for myself: let’s go JOGO! And the funny (or not so funny) thing: I miss absolutely nothing when I’m on vacation. It’s like living in a bubble, my own wonderful carefree bubble. I have my own little party with the people I love, and that’s enough. It turns out that ‘being able to make my own choices’ and ‘finding connection’ are the key words for peace and calm within myself and my life. These are, for me, the most important discoveries among all the positive aspects that JOGO can bring. Have a great vacation and enjoy the JOGO!
Mariël Ganzeboom
Marketing and Communications advisor
My passion is to contribute creatively to the ongoing growth and brand awareness of MEPD. And, indirectly, also to the development of people, teams, and organizations.
