JOMO replaces FOMO as 78% of millennials would rather stay at home

A quarter of millennials said they’d rather give up alcohol than their streaming subscriptions

JOMO, the act of getting pleasure from missing out on plans with others, has replaced the fear of missing out (FOMO), as Brits are increasingly happy to stay at home and save money, new research finds.

A survey of more than 2,200 people across the UK found that three-quarters (78 per cent) of millennials actively engage in JOMO – the joy of missing out – at the expense of socialising with friends and taking up new activities.

Meanwhile, just a third (35 per cent) admitted to experiencing FOMO once a fortnight.

The statistics mark a significant shift in millennials’ priorities, with over half (51 per cent) of those surveyed viewing time on their own as important to their happiness, compared with less than a third (30 per cent) who believe time with friends is as essential.

The survey, conducted by savings website VoucherCodes.co.uk, also found that almost half (47 per cent) of Brits admit to being happy in their own company and a 9 per cent said they catch up with friends on social media rather than in real life.

The change in millennials' behaviour and priorities could be down to their love of streaming services.

Four out of five (78 per cent) millennials believe the rise of subscription services has led them to greater levels of JOMO, according to the study.

A quarter confessed to spending the equivalent of one working day watching Netflix (26 per cent) every week, while a fifth (22 per cent) admitted to listening to music on Spotify for at least an hour a day.

What’s more, a quarter (26 per cent) of millennials said they’d rather give up alcohol than their subscriptions, while one in 10 (11 per cent) would rather give up their sex life.

The survey also found the average millennial spends more than £475 a year on subscriptions to streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify, with 8 per cent spending more than £100 per month.

Subscription services were found to provide a welcome distraction from daily mundane household tasks, with two-thirds (67 per cent) confessing the rise of subscription services has led to greater levels of procrastination.

While subscription services may partially be to blame for the increased rise of JOMO, saving money was found to be the most common reason (41 per cent), with quality time with friends being more important than quantity.

Two-thirds (69 per cent) said they’d rather spend their money on experiences than material possessions, with three out of five (61 per cent) keen to create memories with loved ones.

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Assessing what brings about happiness is something Japanese organisation expert and consultant Marie Kondo is known for.

Earlier this month, Netflix launched its brand new series, Tidying up with Marie Kondo, which sees her helping families clear their homes of clutter by asking them to only keep items that “spark joy”.

According to charity shops, the “Marie Kondo effect” has resulted in donations of clothes doubling since the show was released on the streaming service.

“Thanks to @MarieKondo and @Netflix, we’ve been receiving more donations this month – and clothes have been folded so neatly!” national disability charity Scope wrote on Twitter.

“It certainly #SparksJoy with us.”