🌈 “Happy Girls Get FOMO Too” —or— Why I Sometimes Feel Lonely Even While Living My Best Life

You know that one girl who seems to have it all figured out? The one always smiling, always posting aesthetic sunset pics with latte art or grocery-store flowers, talking about mental health like she’s sponsored by a podcast?

Yeah. Hi. It’s me. I’m the girl.

And guess what? I get FOMO.

Let’s rewind.

I’m currently in this phase of my life where—on paper—it looks like I’m thriving. I’m traveling, learning, interning, meeting new people, exploring new cities, and somehow managing to have decent hair on most days (not all, I’m not superhuman). I do gratitude journaling. I meditate. I even remember to drink water sometimes.

And yet, every once in a while, while living this Technicolor dream, I’ll scroll through Instagram and get hit with the “everyone’s life looks so…together” syndrome.

There’s a brunch I wasn’t invited to. A group trip I didn’t know about. A party back home where my name was probably never even brought up.

It’s weird because I know I’m not missing out. I’m doing amazing things. But there’s this sneaky, ridiculous, irrational voice inside that whispers:

“Shouldn’t you also be doing…that? Whatever that is?”

And suddenly, boom—Existential FOMO™. The feeling that even in your happiest, fullest moments, there’s a parallel universe where someone else’s version of “living” seems shinier.

But here’s the plot twist: I’m not sad. I’m not bitter.

I’m…human.

Turns out, you can be deeply grateful and mildly envious at the same time. You can absolutely love your life and still sometimes wonder if you’re missing out on something. You can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely on a Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. while eating leftover noodles in your oversized hoodie.

And that doesn’t mean anything is wrong. It just means you’re emotionally complex and your brain enjoys playing ping pong with imaginary scenarios.

So what do I do about it?

I allow it. I acknowledge it. I laugh at it.

Sometimes I text a friend. Sometimes I write. Sometimes I just romanticize the loneliness like it’s a Lana Del Rey song and move on.

Because let’s face it—FOMO isn’t always about what others are doing. It’s often about a small version of you inside, wondering: Am I seen? Am I remembered? Am I enough even when I’m not visible?

And the answer, even if Instagram forgets to remind you, is yes.

So here’s to the happy girls who still get FOMO.

To the ones living fully, even while occasionally feeling a little left out.

To those of us who know we’re okay, but still wonder what’s on the other side of the fence—and then laugh at ourselves for even caring.

You’re not missing out, babe.

You’re just human. And your noodles are delicious.