The Joy of Missing Out: Choosing Rest Over Rush

We live in a world that constantly tells us to be everywhere, do everything, and say yes to every opportunity. Our calendars overflow, our notifications never stop, and our “to-do lists” quietly transform into “never-done lists.” 

Somewhere along the way, rest became a luxury instead of a necessity.

But what if we flipped that narrative? 

What if choosing not to do something wasn’t a failure or missed opportunity—but a source of joy?

That’s the power of JOMO: The Joy of Missing Out.

It’s the counterbalance to FOMO (the Fear of Missing Out), the cultural buzzword that’s fueled endless social scrolling, overcommitted schedules, and the subtle feeling that no matter what we’re doing, something better is happening without us.

JOMO is a gentle rebellion. It’s the decision to pause instead of push. It’s choosing to rest, recharge, and fully enjoy the present moment, even if it means missing the party, the project, or the next trending thing.

Are you busy for the sake of being busy?

Why We Feel the Need to Always Be "On"

Before we get to the joy, let’s look at why it’s so hard to stop in the first place.

• Social comparison: Social media thrives on highlight reels. We see vacations, new purchases, promotions, or packed schedules, and suddenly our slower, quieter life feels inadequate.

• Cultural pressure: In many places, busyness is treated like a badge of honour. “How are you?” is answered with “Busy!” as if productivity equals worth.

• The myth of scarcity: We fear that if we say no, we’ll miss our one shot at something—whether it’s a career opportunity, a social gathering, or even a new restaurant in town.

The result? We live in a state of low-grade exhaustion, always trying to keep up with everyone else’s pace, even when it doesn’t match our own.

The Power of Choosing Rest

JOMO begins with one radical choice: valuing rest as much as productivity.

Rest isn’t laziness. Rest is renewal. It’s the pause that makes the next note in life’s song meaningful. Without it, we burn out—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually, too.

When you allow yourself to miss out on the gathering, the late-night email, the obligation that drains instead of nourishes you, you allow for:

• Clarity: A quieter life helps you actually hear yourself think.

• Creativity: Great ideas rarely come when you’re rushing. They appear in the margins of life - on walks, in showers, during slow mornings.

• Connection: Instead of spreading yourself thin, you have more energy for what truly matters: family, friendships, faith, or personal growth.

No is a perfectly acceptable answer

The Joy of Saying No

Every yes is also a no. When we say yes to the extra project, we say no to an early night’s rest. When we say yes to the weekend event we don’t really care about, we say no to slow time at home.

JOMO is about flipping the script: saying yes to the things that feed your soul and no to the things that only drain you.

Think of it this way: if FOMO is about chasing everything out there, JOMO is about savouring what’s already right here.

Practical Ways to Practice JOMO

This all sounds great in theory—but how do you actually live it out? Here are a few practices to help you choose joy over rush:

Set digital boundaries: Turn off notifications, take intentional breaks from social media, or even delete apps that don’t bring value. Consider a digital detox day once a week.

Amazon Link > Digital Minimalism: Kick The Addiction, Focus Your Time And Reduce Digital Clutter by Paul Judd

Practice Sabbath or rest days: Whether tied to faith or not, dedicating one day a week to slowing down is transformative. No chores, no errands, no productivity goals—just rest and delight.

Get comfortable with "no”: You don’t need to give an excuse. “Thanks for the invitation, but I can’t this time” is enough. The joy of missing out is built on the freedom of not overexplaining.

Redefine success: Instead of measuring your worth by how much you do, measure it by how present you feel. Did you laugh with your kids? Did you read a chapter of a book you love? Did you actually rest? That’s success.

Amazon Link > Bedsure GentleSoft Sherpa Blanket

Create restful rituals: Morning coffee without rushing. Evening walks. Reading before bed. Small, grounding habits that signal your body and mind: it’s okay to slow down.

Amazon Link > Yogi Canada Organic Tea Sampler Gift Box

Rest Creates Space for Curiosity

At The Curious Toad, curiosity is at the heart of everything. And here’s the secret: curiosity flourishes in space.

When your calendar is crammed, there’s no room for wonder. When every moment is filled with scrolling, there’s no space for new questions to arise. But when you embrace JOMO—when you slow down—you suddenly notice the little things:

• The way the light hits your living room wall at sunset.

• A question in a book that sends you down a fascinating rabbit hole.

• A chance conversation at a coffee shop that sparks a new idea.

By choosing rest over rush, you don’t just recover—you rediscover curiosity itself.

The Joy of Missing Out Is Really the Joy of Being Present

Ultimately, JOMO isn’t about what you’re missing. It’s about what you’re gaining.

Peace. Presence. Clarity. Connection.

When you miss out on what doesn’t matter, you open yourself to what does. And in that space, life suddenly feels a lot less like a race and a lot more like a gift.

Live Simply. Stay Curious.

You don’t have to be everywhere. You don’t have to say yes to everything. You don’t have to keep up with the rush.

Missing out is an invitation. To rest. To wonder. To live fully, right where you are.

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