I Don’t Plan On Getting Married But FOMO During The Wedding Season Is Real
The wedding season is the time of the year when social media is flooded with wedding pictures. Every time you refresh your social media handle, it’s like someone new is getting married or is posing at a wedding. It’s like everyone around you is in a celebration mood and as fun as that may sound, it does get uncomfortable after a point. Alas, it’s worse when you actually have to attend someone’s wedding. And like me, if you’re also in your twenties, I’m sure you know what it’s like when all the older people come up to your and ask, “Beta, shaadi ka kya plan hai?” I swear I feel like slapping them because of how exceedingly annoying it is!
I swear, it feels like everyone has either managed to achieve or is in the process of achieving their fairytale ending and moving on in life. Meanwhile, I am sitting at home watching yet another series on Netflix and feeling envious for no apparent reason at all. I mean, It’s the most absurd thing to feel envious when I never even planned to get married in the first place. But shaadi season is when the wedding bug gets to everyone.
My idea of life has never been limited to settling down with someone, having kids and making a home with them. Instead, I want to live free from societal bonds, explore the world, achieve my dreams, travel to far-away places and live my life for myself. I never planned on tying the knot with anyone and this isn’t motivated by some heartbreak which made me exceedingly repellent to the idea of marriage. But, I don’t want to be dependent on one single person for all of my needs because we all know how it turns out, don’t we? However, with every wedding season that pops up, I am reminded of the fact that I am only human because when I see these happy couples about to get married, I tend to doubt my choices and decisions for a bit.
But then I realise that it’s just FOMO and this feeling and fear of missing out drives us to want and do things which we don’t even want in the first place. This feeling just creates a moment of self-doubt where I feel lonely and unloved. A moment where I feel like everyone is finding someone to spend the rest of their lives with, to celebrate the little joys of life and to wake up in the morning with. But isn’t that the magic of a fairytale-like wedding, it makes everything beautiful with the message of ‘happily ever after’? And let’s be honest, it hides the disclaimer that not everyone’s ‘happily ever after’ is marriage. We’ve also seen failed marriages all around us. From my parents to my colleagues to acquaintances, I’ve seen far too many failed relationships. This is proof that marriage is a risky game and not everyone gets lucky. Therefore, the FOMO that all of us single people out there have been feeling recently, is real. It can be crippling and is bound to make you anxious. Heck, it might even nudge you to make a matrimonial account (I did it last year). But, with time, I’ve realised that these moments of weakness can easily be won over.
Now, when this occurs, I end up looking at the bigger picture. Those wedding photos, heavy lehengas and pretty decor are just momentary, they will get old but if your marriage isn’t as pretty as those photos then it will be a hard and rocky life ahead. For all those who don’t want to get married, think of what you want and focus on your dreams during these moments of FOMO, I swear, it really helps. You see, everyone has a different life with different wants, needs and choices. So, don’t be influenced by others’ decisions but choose what makes you the happiest instead
Also Read: Is The Wedding Prep Stressing You Out, Brides? Here Are 5 Ways You Can De-Stress Before Your Big Day!
Also Read: That’s what I do and that’s how I replace the FOMO laced with self-doubt with moments of happiness where I just celebrate others and their decisions. After all, everyone deserves love. For me, the love that I have for my dreams and passion is enough. But we must appreciate and respect everyone’s choices. Let’s all live and let live!
