FOMO is real and is plaguing people of every generation. It adds anxiety, builds discontentment, robs you of your present joy, and steals every moment that would normally bring you happiness.
Fear Of Missing Out.
It’s funny that something that has nagged people for years
now has its own abbreviation and is used on every social media platform by
millions. We have all felt it. No one
wants to miss out on an opportunity of a lifetime or the chance to do something
fun but what price are we willing to pay to keep FOMO at bay?
Young moms everywhere have been told they can have it all,
it only takes balance. They are told, if you don’t have a fulfilling career,
you are missing out. If you don’t
experience all the joys of motherhood, you are missing out. If you work full-time at an entry-level job,
you are wasting your time. If you stay
home with your children you are wasting your earning potential and your family
will starve. We have convinced a generation of women that motherhood is the
goal, but you better make sure your career is Instagram-worthy and pays well
too. We haven’t even taken into account the time and energy it takes to be a
wife who loves and respects her husband who may be a full-time farmer in need
of all kinds of support both emotionally and practically.
While this may seem hopeless and overwhelming, it doesn’t
have to remain that way. There is hope but it comes by way of sacrifice. The
result is no regret and another new season of life waiting for you with
unimaginable opportunities and plenty of earning potential. As much as this
sounds like an infomercial for a pyramid scheme, I assure you, it’s real life.
I spent the 90s as a pregnant stay-at-home mom. I spent the first decade of the 21st
century chasing children, and cows and supporting a husband and a farm. The second decade began a change that I never
saw coming. As my children started to
leave the nest, my time as the school carpool mom, classroom cookie provider, and uniform cleaning service began to wane, and I discovered I had more time
for things I wanted to pursue.
Over time, more projects found their way to my inbox which
have turned into travel opportunities and marketing avenues that I had only
dreamed about in my ag journalism classes in college. If I could have described my dream job, it
wouldn’t have even scratched the surface of what I wake up to do every
morning. It challenges every piece of
intelligence that I ever thought I had and allows me to express myself in ways
I once considered daunting at best.
No one ever told me this season was coming. I only heard from well-meaning empty nesters
that my children will grow up fast and I’ll miss these younger days when they
are toddling around spooning oatmeal off their highchairs and stuffing pieces
of syrupy pancake in the DVD player.
While I’ll admit I enjoyed the crayon-authored Mother’s Day cards and
bouquets of dandelions, what kind of parent is sad about their adult children
who are successful in their own careers and happy in their own homes?
What did I pay for this second season of life without
regret? Boxes of $.33 macaroni and cheese, pancakes, and homemade syrup for days
on end because it was cheaper than cereal.
Dress pants for junior high boys from the thrift store and bags upon
bags of hand-me-downs from the neighbors.
Cheap shampoo, worn-out minivans, used appliances, and second-hand barn
boots bought on eBay. The dollar menu at Mcdonald's was a family favorite, along
with boxes of day-old donuts from the neighbor who worked at the local bakery.
I spent my share of time storming the gates of heaven on
behalf of my family and our farm. And I wouldn’t trade a single tear for all
the gold in the world. It humbled me. It kept me on my knees, and it made me
experience the faithfulness of a God whose promises are always yes and
amen. He worked all things together for
good, He gave me strength to do all things and He continues to move mountains
and do the impossible so that I can speak of His faithfulness and His steadfast
love.
Stop with the FOMO. Instead, embrace your family and the path
that God wants to lead you down. He will bring you unimaginable joy and the
only thing you’ll fear is missing out on what He has planned for you.
Young moms everywhere, your season is coming. I promise.
Comments
enjoyable to read!