Social Shift (FOBI)

FOBI Mania!

Move over FOMO and welcome FOBI by flipping the same coin. Learn the quirks, preferences, choices and dislikes on this opposite end to read the mind of a person unwilling to socialise. From the anxiety to ‘miss out’ everything that is immensely important and unmistakably interesting to nonchalantly rowing the boat of obliviousness and obscurity — the repulsion for being included in the mainstream social epicentres is here to stay.

By PRAMITA BOSE

Swimming at Sea of Information

Some people are getting disenchanted with information explosion and media boom and are switching off their smartphones or putting the same on silent mode to declutter and detox from digital onslaughts.

“Our brains are not designed to devour a constant streaming of fragmented stats and facts. It results in mental ennui, difficulty in retention and decision paralysis. Additionally, we don’t know how to sift a factual piece of info from the fake and forged material in this whirlwind of data discharge. This causes a wide rift and trust deficit, which otherwise forms the bedrock of transparent human connection,” avers life coach Vasudha Jha.

Clinging to Your Cocoon

Mass Communication student Ananya Mitra prefers keeping to herself at times away from her gang of friends, which she thinks is a relief from an overdose of social interactions. “Sometimes you feel like shutting yourself up from the crowd and its cacophony. It pays to live in a silo for privacy and introspection,” she affirms.

The reticent lady takes regular metro rides after college and coaching classes to check into bricks-and-mortar stores for buying and browsing the stocks on their shelves. “I’m a finicky purchaser and prefer picking items on my own after negotiating with the seller. Online shopping carts just don’t suit me. From veggies, clothes to books, movie tickets and cosmetics, I choose everything physically with a satisfactory bargain,” she concedes.

JOMO Versus FOMO

The timid tribe’s joy of missing out (JOMO) all things hip and happening is diametrically opposite to the outspoken herd’s phobia of missing out (FOMO) the same.

Believe it or not, a section of the avid ‘breaking news’ junkies — who would once gorge on ‘demos and viral-videos’ as its staple diet to remain clued into every minute-to-minute occurrence — is now carefully avoiding falling into the trap of a FOMO condition. The so-called erstwhile social butterflies are merrily playing truant from milking dramatic posts, pictures and updates on the social-networking sites.

“Too much of infotainment broadcasts often strain our sensitive nerves and clog the mindspaces. The noise just hits us hard to grow intolerably jarring. You need to then de-stress and detach from the unstoppable bombardment,” asserts middle-aged TV buff Siddharth Dutta, who subscribes to the idea of FOBI or the scare of being included.

On one hand inclusivity is the ideal buzzword in every possible sector today, while on the other, one needs to isolate oneself in order to open other outlets of his/her mind to re-analyse and recalibrate things from a fresh perspective. This should offer them a better and clearer assessment of the whole universe and how it functions.

Two to Tango

ROMO (relief of missing out) and JOMO are like bosom buddies or conjoined twins joined at the hips. The self-professed ‘ROMOites’ and ‘JOMOites’ are content in their own caves, celebrating and further enriching their ‘me time’. As they say, it’s rejuvenating to hear the sound of silence in peaceful solitude or count the stars across the night sky. Many even go off-grid, turn incommunicado like hermits in jungles and think green by choice, not by default.

Embracing a modest lifestyle instead of hogging the limelight, setting simple targets on the things-to-do as well as bucket lists unlike fulfilling sky-high ambitions, spending quality time with pets and family, doing household chores, cooking up meals, showing reluctance to be a disc hopper or a party animal and aiming for a goodnight’s sleep could easily earn an individual that predictable tag of being ‘bland and boring’. More so, if he or she is a celebrity who constantly shies away from the media glare and paparazzi hunt.

Both ROMO and JOMO are basking in the glory of disentanglement, happily wriggling out of a mess via digital cleansing.

The once self-proclaimed rockheads who needed no excuse to flock to a crowd-pulling music fest are now either woodshedding with bandmates or strumming an instrument alone in private. The earlier sworn chatter boxes now want to cut off from the rest of the world and do gupshup with a close circle of buddies at home during festivities instead of chilling outside despite the dazzle of lights, glitter of crackers and pops of colours beckoning them.

Cutting the Clutter

It’s important to strike a perfect balance between reality and the virtual realm. People are wary of overusing electronic gadgets as that might cause irreparable harm to their brain. But what’s the immediate remedy at hand from this digital diarrhoea?

“Excessive screen exposure by remaining glued to android phones and computers for hours can affect brain function indirectly. Continuous stimulation from digital media reduces attention span, disturbs sleep hygiene due to blue light emission and may also induce eye strain and headaches. In children and adolescents, prolonged screen time is linked to minimal physical activity, poor social interaction and delayed cognitive development. While gadgets don’t directly damage brain tissue, their misuse over a considerable period may alter behaviour, focus and even stoke mood swings,” warns neurologist Dr Suhas VP.

‘Me’ and Family Time

It’s not only a good idea but a healthy one to spend some quality time with your children and spouse, make an album of fond memories with them. How about answering a getaway call, vacationing in the hills or on the sandy yellow beaches lining the frothy sea, tell your little ones bedtime stories, play with them, undergo a spa session, hit a wellness retreat, dive into adventure sports, yoga sessions, psychological therapy, et al.

Peace Over Noise

Many opt for forest bathing and eco-consciousness, eagerly take things in their stride, calmly meditate with a deep long breath, carefully wipe off the sweat beads pertaining to future worries and lend a wise pause to the rat race and fierce cutthroat competition that are unleashing a murderous rage among the current human race.

“It’ time to stop and introspect. Is life all about meeting backbreaking deadlines and achieving your goals? Before your everyday grind sucks and unreasonable materialistic demands snuff the life out of you from tip to toe, look for poise in your pace and restraint in your attitude. Allude to the carpe diem philosophy and make the most of the present moment,” espouses Jha.

*****************************************************************************************************************************