Embracing JOMO: Finding Joy in the Unexpected

Exactly a year ago this month, I was undergoing my third surgery for cancer treatment. While lying in that hospital bed, I scrolled through social media and saw countless photos of friends attending conferences and events—many of which I would have been at if cancer hadn’t disrupted my plans. It was hard not to feel a twinge of FOMO—the fear of missing out.

Professionally, it felt like doors were closing around me. Events I had looked forward to, positions of leadership, bonuses, and so much more were now out of reach. I love the work I do and the people I serve, so watching life carry on without me was difficult.

But amidst the disappointment, I found myself asking a deeper question: If I survive this, what do I want my life to look like? There were so many things I still wanted to do, see, experience, and accomplish. Cancer had stripped away my assumptions about time and replaced them with clarity about what truly mattered.

Then, within 24 hours of being discharged from the hospital, I came across a new phrase that changed everything: JOMO—the joy of missing out.

The moment I heard it, something clicked. I stopped dwelling on all the things I thought cancer was taking from me and started focusing on what it was giving me. That simple shift in perspective—from fear to joy—transformed my mindset. Suddenly, instead of seeing doors closing, I began noticing windows opening.

I’ve always practiced gratitude and used positive affirmations, but this experience deepened my commitment. I even created a gratitude and affirmation journal to document my daily blessings. (If you’re interested, you can find it here on Amazon.) Writing down the good in my life helped me see the abundance around me—even in the midst of hard times.

The more intentional I became about embracing JOMO, the more blessings, opportunities, and beautiful moments I discovered. Life is so amazing, even when it’s hard. I know my journey isn’t unique—many have faced struggles far greater than mine—yet the principle holds true: What we focus on, we find.

This doesn’t mean pain disappears. But when we act with faith, strive to remain cheerful, and keep moving forward, joy has a way of finding us.

Two Things I’m Working On

1. Releasing the sense of loss when plans change. Sometimes when a door closes, it’s because a better window is opening. This happens to me quite often, so I get to really work on this one a lot. 🙂 

2. Letting go of the feeling of being left behind. Life isn’t a race. We’re all on our own unique journeys, and I believe the Big Guy up in the sky knows exactly what we need—when we need it—whether it is good or hard. That is where faith, effort, attitude, and moving forward will always come into play.

Moral of the story: Start a gratitude practice today. Whether it’s a journal, an accountability partner, or simply taking a few moments to reflect, focus on the good that’s already present in your life. When we let go of FOMO and embrace the JOMO, we create space to discover the unexpected blessings waiting for us. And maybe life can slow down just enough for us to truly embrace the small and simple moments with those we love.

I promise you, they’re there. You just have to look.

Until next week-

Erica🌺❤️