Is FOGO the new FOMO?

With the acceleration of vaccinations, life is taking off again, social relationships are coming back and issues like mental health are growing. New fears are developing and youngsters are facing this coming back with disorientation. If we define the post-covid summer as the return of FOMO (fear of missing out), going back to the routine with friends, school, family, work, the specter of a new lockdown and the feeling of fear and insecurity are being translated into the acronym FOGO (fear of going out).

Robbie Augspurger for nss

Digital cover issue The dark side of Gen Z

Robbie Augspurger for nss

Digital cover issue The dark side of Gen Z

Robbie Augspurger for nss

Digital cover issue The dark side of Gen Z

Younger generations have become used to living an indoor life, with their routine and online meetings, therefore they are afraid to get out of their comfort zone and feel disconnected from a reality that has remained in stand by for a long time. The pandemic and the lockdown have changed new generations’ priorities, focusing more on themselves, and their mental health. Now that the safe bubble is breaking, a feeling of crisis is emerging.

"I no longer remember how to socialize, how I have to behave around others"

                            (Roberto, 24)

Roberto, 24, says that since he returned to travel, his destination choices have been quiet and isolated places. The desire to travel is there but the way to do it has changed. "I have always tried to interact with the people of the places I visited, this time I felt out of place. I no longer remember how to do it, what to say. I have lost the curiosity of meeting up new people."

Camilla, 16, is not afraid to go out, she explains that "On the contrary, I like it but at the same time I don't feel at ease when I go out with too many people around me I feel anxious. I have a set of contradictory emotions."

Greta, 23, says that she has never liked to go out at night but now more than ever she feels unsafe to meet people she doesn't know and says "I am in a mood where I prefer to stay only with my friends, having intimate gatherings." After a year of social restrictions, routines have completely changed, young people find themselves in a phase of uncertainty. From the fear of going out to the desire of doing things; mixed emotions that will affect their mental health.

Emma 17, who started therapy during lockdown says "I entered a monotonous loop, I was afraid to leave the house because I did not see a possible future. I did not want to meet my friends because I felt everything was going wrong" she continues" now I'm recovering, but it was a difficult time."

Thus it is not a causality that on Twitter the emoji mashup of the "party" and "worried" emoji reached 65.3 likes. This emoji may be the exact representation of "languishing", a word coined by the sociologist Corey Keys. This feeling of absence of well-being turns off personal motivation, which characterizes perfectly the FOGO. It is the indifference of one's indifference. The emotion that the New York Times claimed inexplicable - but dominant - of 2021.

                    "Our social muscles have atrophied"

(Greta, 23)

Adapting to change is easier, returning to lost normality is harder, for this reason, it can lead to fears and pathologies. FOGO will follow us through this coming back to the new normal, with its new routines, possible restrictions, and uncertainties.

As psychotherapist Sheva Rejaee said, it's a fear that can be fought. For example, by taking things slowly, starting with small outings where you feel safe. Putting situations into perspective, analyzing the positive aspects, and writing down fears and feelings to overcome them. It is important to talk and share experiences with friends and family, without being afraid of others' judgments. We are entering the new post-pandemic era and it is important to be aware of it to face it in the best possible way.

cover image Robbie Augspurger for nss magazine digital cover N01