August 2026

Having two dogs one notes that they suffer deeply from FOMO. For those not familiar with this abbreviation, it stands for ‘fear of missing out.’ I speak to one of the girls in a part of the house and it is quite common to hear the other jogging/running over; when on a walk one of them stops to smell an interesting spot of grass, or a section of wall, and the other has to turn and come and smell the very same section.

Google tells me that the abbreviation and phrase came into parlance in 2004 in relation to behaviours noted around social media. Someone would describe, or post pictures of, an interesting and fun experience, be that a party on a Mediterranean island, going on safari, meeting some form of celebrity at the Hay Festival, chilling in the garden on a summer’s eve, the list could go on. An apprehension or anxiety would develop from others who were not present at such an experience or having similar such experiences. It can be described as an anxiety, and it can also be described as envy. Envy is one of the seven deadly sins. It also goes against the ten commandments, since to be envious can be said to be coveting or desiring that which someone else has.

This anxiety, this envy, comes about because of a disappointment in what oneself has, or is experiencing when compared to somebody else. An occasional heard example would be when a person says, ‘bet that costs a lot to insure and maintain,’ when seeing another with their Aston Martin. On one level this is understandable, we are all human and have all experienced such emotions. However, to simply say this is human is not enough. It is a negative experience inviting resentment toward another. It goes against that fundamental command of, ‘love thy neighbour as thyself.’ Why cannot someone say, ‘nice car’, or ‘you must like cars’, instead?

I am not sure that I am able to train my dogs so that they no longer suffer from FOMO. I can, however, strive to form myself, and others, so that we as humans made in the image of God do not suffer so badly from it. It will make us happier which would be a good thing. We will grow more into the likeness of God.

Please God, let it be that the Blessed Saints, most particularly Our Lady, continue to pray for us!