Is Instagram giving you FOMO for something you didn’t even want in the first place?

I get into my daily social media scroll and pause on a story from someone whose face seems vaguely familiar. Trying hard to ring a bell, I rack my brain for a minute, and then remember, “Ah, she’s that person from that party.” Instagram handles were exchanged only for us to never see each other again. As I sit on my couch and watch her soak in the lovely Cuban sunshine, enjoy the pristine blue waters and crystal-clear skies, something about my life feels deficient. Her sheer audacity of popping up on my feed while having fun and travelling the world irks me. And now, all I want to do is book a flight to the Bahamas.

“Maybe not,” says Mumbai-based health expert Kiran Makhijani. “It’s probably just FOMO, which can hit hard, like a wrecking ball. Looking at curated lives on social media can make your own reality feel less vibrant.” She quickly introduces a phenomenon called automatic goal contagion, which occurs when your brain sees something new and exciting but can’t access it. 

That new air fryer my favourite influencer is raving about? I want it. Do I even cook? No, but I still want. Hiking up a hill and lodging in the woods? I want to do that. Do I like trekking? Not really. Just an hour ago, I was browsing 5-star resorts for a staycation. So why is my brain suddenly craving a stay in a run-down lodge? Let’s assume it’s pretty—filters aside—but even then, it’s not really my vibe. But I saw my schoolmate post pictures in chic hiking gear and uber-cool shoes, and so I too want the whole ‘mountain girl’ aesthetic.

“There’s a deeper neuroscience to it,” Makhijani says. “Your brain mirrors and copies the goals and lifestyles of the people you watch on social media. These are simulated aspirations that don’t particularly belong to you.”

When your feed becomes your peer group

It's all about peer pressure. The likes and comments on these posts are like a digital dopamine rush, making people feel like they belong. External validation serves as motivation to try new things, not because we want to, but because we want to be seen doing them.

The anticipation of a reward

I feel a dopamine rush every time my brain triggers an unwarranted urge to recreate an activity consumed on social media. From signing up for a cooking class to hitting the gym, I want to do it all. It doesn’t matter that I had no interest in any of these things before. One scroll, and I’m convinced they’re essential to my evolution. From booking a cooking class to randomly committing to a gym membership that I’ll probably ghost, I want to do it all. And not because I genuinely want to. According to Makhijani, this happens because you're busy chasing the version of yourself you imagine you’ll become after doing that thing. 

“Your brain has already created a task in anticipation of a reward or an incentive of sorts. The gym isn't just about sweating it out; it’s the allure of looking good and receiving compliments. A cooking class isn't just about recipes; it’s the promise of saving money on takeaways or the joy of mastering a new skill.”

Now, some of these digitally acquired urges can foster beneficial pursuits—a better diet, a new hobby, or even the motivation to build a venture of your own. But the key factor is being able to distinguish inspiration from imitation. Evaluate the number of new things you take up that alter and improve the quality of your life, without making it a cardboard cut-out of someone else’s reality. Your life should have its own original blueprint.

How to reclaim your reality

The social media magnet is powerful, but the easiest way to weaken its pull is simple: limit your scroll time. “You can even opt for a digital detox every few days; it works wonders,” says Makhijani. She recommends following accounts that actually enrich your life, not just entertain you for a second and leave you feeling drained later.

“Following life coaches or fitness accounts is great, but chasing goals that don’t belong to you will only pull you away from your own journey. Practice activities that keep you grounded—meditate, chant affirmations, and get closer to your true, authentic self. Social media is just a façade,” she adds.

Because honestly, it’s wild how easily a genuine interest can morph into an empty obsession. What starts as admiration can quickly become mimicry—and suddenly, you’re living for a version of life you never really wanted.

Often, looking at someone else’s carefully curated highlight reel can make you question your own. But trust me—it’s a fleeting feeling. While I love my vacations, I also love the tiny, quiet luxuries of my daily life—my morning coffee, a spontaneous café stop, a warm blanket and a good book, my go-to comfort meal. These things, though not “feed-worthy,” feel real. They’re mine.

The allure of the 'other side' is strong, but sometimes, the grass isn’t greener—it’s just filtered. And the Bahamas? It can wait.

Lead image credit: IMDb

Also read: Are social media trends emptying our wallets (and minds)?

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