Coping with FOPO
The online world offers an alternate reality where we can showcase the best parts of ourselves — from highly filtered selfies to inspirational travel pics, motivational quotes and seemingly “in-the-moment” shots that offer a carefully curated glimpse into a tiny portion of our life. We’ve become masters of our self-branding, treating ourselves as a sort of commodity that is only worth as much as it looks. But what for? Well, primarily, the fear of being judged by others and an innate need to belong.
According to holistic psychologist and director of Little Window Psychology, Thania Siauw, this phenomenon is in no way new. “We are deeply rooted and neurobiologically wired to seek a sense of belonging and social approval,” says Siauw. “From an evolutionary perspective, our clever and ancient brains are driven to seek acceptance in our social group, as much as we are driven to seek food, water and shelter — it links back to the absolute necessity to secure a safe place in your tribe in order to survive. Human evolution would not be possible if we were solitary creatures.”
Enter social media: a new world where
