It’s Almost “JOMO” Season — Here’s How to Nail the Staying-in Trend for Fall

There’s something about August and September that just makes you crave cooler days, and the idyllic fall activities that come with them, like baking apple pie or having a Halloween movie marathon. The dead heat of August — and the lingering heat of September — stick around way longer than they’re welcome for the fall enthusiasts out there. For some (aka me), it’s impossible not to look forward to the cozy vibes of fall. 

And now a resurfaced viral wellness trend is making me more ready than ever for slow mornings with hot coffee, and chilly dark nights where all I’ll do is stay in and hibernate. Say goodbye to summer’s FOMO, because JOMO — or the joy of missing out — is back with a vengeance. 

JOMO isn’t a new concept, although the term — which denotes the feeling of happiness and contentment you get when you spend your free time doing what you want instead of attending events, social gatherings, or other obligations — was officially coined sometime late last year. 

But JOMO isn’t just about being happy you stayed in on a Friday night. JOMO can also refer to the joy of missing out on screen time and detaching from social media in the name of prioritizing self-care. In the summer, it’s understandably hard to have JOMO when the sun is shining and it feels like every day comes with its own share of FOMO-inducing social plans. 

However, when you’re on the verge of summer burnout, those cozy, cold nights in start to look extra appealing. Instagram user @thishouse5000 gave fellow JOMO fans a glimpse at how they’re leaning into the joy of missing out before summer is over, writing, “The peace of spending time alone 😌 I used to worry about being by myself, now I look forward to it.”

The video is a cozy fall montage showing the Instagrammer clad in a pair of pajamas making a hot cup of tea, lighting candles, and settling in with her cat on the couch to watch a TV show. Viewers commented that they were on the same wavelength, saying, “Right there with you.”

If you’re as ready to embrace the JOMO as I am, keep in mind that your restorative hangout at home doesn’t need to be boring.

If you’re planning on staying in for the night, some ideas for your JOMO-fueled solo evening could include the following:

• Preparing your own dinner party for one.
• Virtually transporting yourself to another world with a viral BookTok read like a Court of Mist & Fury.
• Trying your hand at sleepy girl mocktails.
• Or even just leaning into an “everything shower.” Heck, make it a bath! 

As long as you’re feeling joy about your only plans being with yourself, you’re doing JOMO right.