#GOMO

Can I be honest? FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is an all too real reality for me, and I'm guessing some of you can relate? I know that this is true for me a lot throughout the year, but I feel that especially in the summertime it's really bad.  I have expectations for summer, like we all do, and more often than not they don't necessarily HAPPEN.  

Last summer, I remember that I felt like everyone else around me was traveling, and I wasn't.  If you know anything about me, you should know that traveling is in my blood.  Visiting new places and the thrill of expanding horizons is incredible.  Last summer some of my friends went to TEXAS (That was like the worst.  I want to go to Texas so bad.  Scratch that, I just want to go everywhere.), my neighbors went to Missouri, and the rest went out to South Dakota. A few other friends went to New York multiple times, and let's not even mention all the ones that went camping like all the time.  Oh right, and another friend of mine just casually went to Guatemala. 

I was just like -- Dudes, take me with you.  But one thing I learned through that was that rather than counting the days, I should make the days count.

This summer, my problem was a little different.  I stayed at home a lot more, and I wasn't as active doing things as other summers.  In a lot of ways, it was nice.  I learned to trust and praise God even through the hard times, because hey, just saying, if I could be busy 25/8 I probably wouldn't mind. (Actually I would.) But, overall I didn't do a lot of things this summer.  So when I heard about Eventbrite's GOMO campaign, which stands for Going Out More Often, I was inspired to share with you my own ideas for GOMO this summer!

Eventbrite is the world's largest self-service ticketing platform.  Simply put, you can type in your location into the Eventbrite website, and it'll help you find out about local events in your area that you can participate in! Another great advantage of this is that you can create and host your own events and use Eventbrite to invite your friends! They support ticket sales and a variety of other features, including discounted options for non-profits so be sure to check out their easy event planning software. Today's post is going to be a few ways  on how YOU can conquer that summer boredom and GOMO with that little bit of summer we have left! I know that it is coming to an end, but at least the warm weather will be here for a little while yet. Let's make the most out of the time we have left!

Whether it's going for a jog in the evening or just strolling around in the morning, go outside and get away from everything else.  Relax and take time to meditate and refocus on what's truly important.  Nature just really speaks to me.  There's something so calm and peaceful about it. And it helps me to get back on track with God and life too.

I love to take a walk in my backyard in the early morning barefoot, because I read these PROVEN (i think?) reasons you should: 1) It rejuvenates your senses and calms the mind (I AM ALWAYS DOWN FOR THAT.) and 2) Stimulates your entire body, including the eyes. And even if not, hey, barefoot is the way to goooo. 

JUST. DO. IT.  JUST DO IT.  I HAVE FAITH IN YOU. (Plus, it is SO worth it.  Like, you can actually get work done.  IT'S SO SHOCKING.) And honestly, at the end of the day it just makes me feel like I actually did something with life.  The feeling is unbeatable, y'all.

Go and sightsee in your own town.  And trust me, I know what it's like to live in a small town where nothing "exciting" happens.  BUT BRO.  YOU make it happen.  There's this little ice cream shop in our town that I love to go to.  (There are people from my school who work there.  That's a smallll town.) Also my local library (although the people who work there aren't very nice :P) has some great spots to just read.  YESSSS!! There's also this little park just up the road from where we live, and it's hidden behind so many houses that it's really nice and secluded.  I LOVE IT.  

Yeah. Guys, just GOMO.

Behold a few reasons.

1. Ever heard that fresh air and sunshine is good for you?

2.  DO THINGS.  Go to a store, go to the library, visit a friend, go to an amusement park, hey you could even go to the bank.  Mine sometimes (like..once a year.  for one day.) has free chocolate milk.

3.  Working outside is really, really good for you.

4. It can help spark inspiration and creativity.

5. It makes you feel more connected to nature and to God.  WIN WIN. 

So, what are you going to do to GOMO as the summer comes to an end? Fear Of Missing Out is not fun, and we can't let that ruin the rest of the summer.  Let's be happy and thankful for what we DO have, and Go Out More Often! 

Sooo, I want to know, what are your thoughts on this? What are some more ways to GOMO before fall arives? And hey, we can still GOMO when fall arrives too, right? =) 

- autumn