BU Today: First of all, why should people try and embrace JOMO this spring break? What are the benefits there?

Genevieve Roy: This is the first real break of the new semester. It’s right after midterms: this is a good time to reset, relax, and do the kind of self-care that you don’t usually have the time to do during the semester. For example: take a bath, read for fun (not for learning), catch up on a show, hang out with your family, spend time with your pets. It’s so go, go, go on campus, so it’s nice to have space for things you don’t normally do. 

Catalina Sanhueza: I think it varies depending on what your plans are [and where you are]. This is a time to really check in with yourself and see what it is you need. Some people have been so busy studying and working that they haven’t had the chance to connect with friends; if you’re staying on campus, maybe take the time to meet up [with someone else who’s here]. If you’re that person who usually gets two hours of sleep a night, maybe catch up on that sleep debt. If you haven’t been prioritizing your mental or physical health, maybe finally make the doctor’s appointment you’ve been putting off.

BU Today: Of course, FOMO can be hard to avoid, even if you’re good about limiting your social media scrolling. If you notice yourself starting to feel FOMO, or jealousy about others’ spring break activities, what are some things you can do to remind yourself that it’s okay to miss out?

Roy: It’s always nice to do a quick meditation or body scan to bring you into the present. But I would recommend reshaping how you’re thinking: if your friend is on vacation, try to think more like, “They’re having fun; good for them.” Or, think about how much planning, travel, and money goes into a trip that isn’t going to be super long anyway, versus all of the rest you’re going to get.

Sanhueza: When we compare ourselves to people, we’re just reminding ourselves of what we want to do—and we should see it that way. For example, when you see someone post something and think, “I wish I was doing that,” I think you have to take one more step and ask: “What exactly am I wishing for?” If you see someone post a picture of themselves on a beach, maybe what you wish is to just be in nature. Grab your shoes, go on a walk, and reconnect with nature. If you see someone posting pictures with a bunch of friends, maybe what you’re actually wanting is connection. Reach out to a friend, get some coffee, and hang out. [Use those feelings] as a reminder of things you can do rather than what you can’t.

BU Today: Any final thoughts or reminders you want to share ahead of spring break?

Roy: It’s important to remember that people always show their best moments, or the highlights, on social media. So, keep that in mind. [When it comes to scrolling]—as someone who’s screen-addicted myself—start small. Take 30 minutes, or an hour, maybe, to just do something, whether it’s a chore, where you can listen to a podcast or some music, or read, or just talk with someone, which is always nice. And I’d say, take at least a day to just do nothing. Just rot.

Sanhueza: Our thoughts are powerful. Our inner dialogues, or the way that we speak to ourselves, do have an impact in the way that we live our lives. If you’re constantly putting yourself down or comparing yourself to others, there’s no way that you can reach your maximum potential. Keeping a healthy state of being within yourself is something I think everyone has to work on. [When you feel yourself thinking negatively], take a step back and be like, “My brain is telling me this right now, and I don’t think that’s okay. I don’t think that helps me.” That can be really hard to do, but also really powerful. And I think that that’s something people need to be reminded of sometimes.