It’s ok to have a rest day, I was afraid to have one because I did not want to waste time. But to be truthful, I (for some reason) feared being pitied for choosing to have a reset day because others will always assume that you’re either boring, wasting time, or lack the means.
But then it hit me: I am a grown-up here and I invest in these experiences for me. Besides, if my body was asking for a day of planning out my purpose and intentions for my time here, then that’s what I should do- no questions asked. And that play-by-play led me to realize that feeling FOMO is a gift to give ourselves the big question of: why? If you can come up with a concrete reason, then leap towards that, and if not, then don’t destroy your own fun and push through.
When studying abroad, there is a continual rush to see everything, sample every cuisine, and seize every moment when studying overseas. However, I’ve discovered that pausing is acceptable—even necessary. At first, I was afraid of missing out or that others would think I was uninteresting or that I didn’t have the resources to do more, so I took a rest day. What struck me, though, is that I didn’t come here to entertain. I came here to have experiences that spoke to me meaningfully, thus speaking portions from the heart towards this post. To engrave this message, I created this for you all
I know when to check in with myself, whether my body or mind is requesting a day off. A reset day may sometimes be more than simply a vacation; it’s a time when my purpose is reoriented. This perspective on FOMO has changed everything. It’s no longer something to avoid but a prompt to clarify my motivation. FOMO doesn’t have to be a bad thing; it may really help us concentrate on the important things in life. I now ask myself two questions whenever I get FOMO: “Is this something I really want to experience, and why?” I take action if the response is affirmative. If not, however, I respect my own pace and let go.
My recommendation going forward is to accept FOMO as a check-in point. Instead of feeling compelled to keep up, let it serve as a gentle reminder to get back on track with your goals. Give yourself guilt-free days to relax, to plan, to ponder, or simply to be. In fact, you’ll have more fulfilling encounters in this manner, based on what you actually desire as opposed to what you believe you should desire. Let FOMO be your buddy, reminding you to make the most of your time overseas. Remember: it’s about quality, not quantity.
Ciao!
DU Abroad 