JOMO: The joy of missing out

Going out always seems like a great idea at the time. “Go out,” they say, “it will be fun” they say – but just how much fun actually is it? While there is an undeniable appeal of a good night of heavy drinking, does it really beat a decent cuppa and a catch up of the latest series on Netflix?

Maybe I’m just getting old but the novelty of clubbing, downing shots, and dancing until the hunger pains set in seems to be wearing off. The process of a night out is just too long. Firstly, there’s the part where you have to start thinking about getting ready; you’ve already had a meal full of carbs because your mum has always said not to go out on an empty stomach, and now you only have an hour to shower, dry your hair and search for a coordinated outfit.

You will also be forced to stand in line for at least forty minutes, getting pushed in the back and complaining you need a wee…

After that, the pressure of remembering the rules to Ring of Fire for the third time that week is still proving a little tricky. Even if pre-drinks is your favourite part of the night, all good things must come to an end and soon you will be spending that precious grocery money on a taxi to get you to the club.

Undoubtedly, because one of the group hasn’t got a queue jump, you will also be forced to stand in line for at least forty minutes, getting pushed in the back and complaining you need a wee and that you should have brought a jacket. The feeling of relief when you get in is indescribable, but then what? You spend half the night looking for the rest of the group and the other half of the night spending the money you had saved for emergencies on five more Jägerbombs that you really don’t need.

The night in is starting to have more of an appeal. There’s no excessive noise, it’s warm, it’s cheap…

Having made sure you have enough material for all social media accounts, you finally decide to leave in search of food. When you do make it back home, you crawl into bed with about three hours to spare before your alarm goes off for that dreaded 9am lecture. Make no mistake, I can think of worse ways to spend a night but I can also think of better.

The night in is starting to have more of an appeal. There’s no excessive noise, it’s warm, it’s cheap, and you can enjoy watching Snapchat stories rather than making drunken cameos in them. After all, what’s wrong with having a night to yourself, pyjamas on and hot chocolate in hand – I will still get to hear all of the stories the next day.

The power of an early night and a good film should not be underestimated…

People talk about the “Fear Of Missing Out”, but from now on I’m embracing the “Joy Of Missing Out”. At risk of making myself sound boring, the power of an early night and a good film should not be underestimated. And anyway, you aren’t going to get anywhere with that essay on the back of a hangover.