FOMO Quiz: Are You Anxious About Missing Out?

Hey guys! Ever feel like everyone’s having more fun than you? Or get anxious when you see your friends’ cool updates on social media? If so, you might be dealing with FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). It’s a pretty common feeling these days, especially with how much time we all spend online. Let’s find out if FOMO is affecting you with this quick quiz.

What is FOMO?

FOMO, or Fear of Missing Out, is a term coined by Patrick J. McGinnis. It describes the anxiety we feel when we think we’re missing out on fun activities or important events that others are experiencing. Even though there’s no official medical diagnosis for FOMO, McGinnis created a self-assessment quiz to help people gauge their level of social anxiety related to missing out.

FOMO Self-Assessment Quiz

This quiz has 10 questions. Rate each statement from 1 to 5, where 1 means you totally disagree and 5 means you totally agree. At the end, we’ll calculate your average score to see if FOMO might be something you’re dealing with.

1. I worry that others have more rewarding experiences than me.
   • 1 (Strongly Disagree)
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5 (Strongly Agree)
2. I worry my friends have more rewarding experiences than me.
   • 1 (Strongly Disagree)
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5 (Strongly Agree)
3. When I find out my friends are having fun without me, I get anxious.
   • 1 (Strongly Disagree)
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5 (Strongly Agree)
4. I get anxious when I don’t know what my friends are up to.
   • 1 (Strongly Disagree)
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5 (Strongly Agree)
5. It’s important for me to understand my friends’ jokes.
   • 1 (Strongly Disagree)
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5 (Strongly Agree)
6. Sometimes, I feel like I spend too much time keeping up with what’s happening.
   • 1 (Strongly Disagree)
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5 (Strongly Agree)
7. I get upset when I miss an opportunity to meet up with friends.
   • 1 (Strongly Disagree)
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5 (Strongly Agree)
8. When I have a good time, I must share it online (e.g., posting updates).
   • 1 (Strongly Disagree)
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5 (Strongly Agree)
9. Missing a planned event really bothers me.
   • 1 (Strongly Disagree)
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5 (Strongly Agree)
10. Even on vacation, I stay updated on what my friends are doing.
    • 1 (Strongly Disagree)
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5 (Strongly Agree)

Scoring Your Quiz

Add up your scores for each question and divide by 10 to get your average score.

• 1-2: Low FOMO
• 3: Moderate FOMO
• 4-5: High FOMO

If your average score is 3 or higher, you might be experiencing FOMO. Remember, this quiz is just a tool to help you reflect on your feelings—it’s not a medical diagnosis. If FOMO is causing you stress or anxiety, it might be helpful to talk to someone you trust or a mental health professional.

Dealing with FOMO

If you find that FOMO is affecting you, here are some tips that might help:

1. Build Trusting Relationships: Open up to friends and family about how you feel. They can offer support and understanding.
2. Encourage Self-Awareness: Practice mindfulness and self-reflection. This can help you understand your emotions better.
3. Promote Offline Activities: Engage in hobbies that make you happy. For me, it’s all about art. Drawing, painting, or just doodling can be a great way to de-stress.
4. Set Boundaries: Limit your social media time. Set specific times to check your apps and stick to them.

Remember, it’s okay to take a break from social media. Focus on what makes you happy and create your own beautiful moments. You’ve got this!

— Jacqueline