Embracing Simplicity and Releasing the Fear of Missing Out
 

April 21, 2025

I recently decided to step away from all social media and even my website. To be honest, it no longer felt genuine or authentic. Social media became endless scrolling that negatively impacted my mental health. Turning my passion for art into a side hustle meant I had to constantly market myself, which stripped away the joy of actually creating art. I felt lost and desperately needed some quiet time for reflection.

Over the past month, my focus has narrowed down to a few essential aspects: my faith, family, home, and hobby. It's perfectly fine to have a hobby without turning it into a marketable venture. During this time away, God revealed to me that all my striving was merely an attempt to fill an emptiness in my life that only He can satisfy. In urging others to be authentic, I realized I needed to be authentic to  myself. The way I was juggling a private practice, family, church obligations, and the urge to start yet another business left me going in circles without making real progress. It was time for a reset, regroup, and retreat.

One of my favorite books by Ruth Haley Barton, Invitation to Retreat, describes a retreat as “a strategic withdrawal from the enemy lines to regroup, reset, and develop a new strategy.” This past month marked the beginning of a new strategy that I hope to continue.

Why am I sharing this on my art website? If you know me or follow my work, you understand that my art is an extension of who I am. Much of my art has been vibrant and busy, reflecting a previous season of my life. However, with God guiding me toward a simpler life, this new focus will also influence my artwork in simpler ways.

Perhaps you find yourself feeling stuck in a cycle or losing focus, numbing out through scrolling or other distractions. I encourage you to ask yourself: what truly matters to you? Once you clarify your values, can you honestly say that your life aligns with them?

This is a challenging and honest question we must confront. We cannot hold onto everything we cling to and still uphold our values. If my priorities are faith, family, home, and hobbies, but I chase worthiness through another business venture or achievement, then my core values will be overshadowed, leading to unhappiness and mental exhaustion. Choosing to let go of FOMO (fear of missing out) in favor of JOMO (joy of missing out) opens the door to blessings, and they have indeed started to flow.

This month, I decluttered my home, spent quality time with my grandkids, prepared healthy meals for my husband and I and picked up my sketchbook just to play. Focusing on these aspects has been incredibly fulfilling. However, after breaking my social media fast, I quickly found myself distracted once again, caught in the comparison trap. I'm done with that. Life is too short not to cherish what we have right in front of us. Moreover, if I'm constantly striving for worth and control, where is the space for the Holy Spirit to work in my life? There isn't any.

I hope this blog inspires you to let go of FOMO and embrace more JOMO. I pray that you will visit my blog from time to time and that you too will experience the art of retreat, allowing God to move in your life!