When I was younger, I remember sitting with my group of friends as they started laughing about “what we did last weekend”.
At first, I giggled along, waiting for the memory to click.
Then it hit me – we didn’t do anything.
They did it without me.
I just sat there, nodding, pretending I got the joke.
Back then, being left out was something you found out days later, usually by accident.
But now? The news travels faster than gossip in a school corridor.
One Insta story, one TikTok clip, one random live stream (if you’ve got famous friends) and boom, you’re watching the party happen in real time… without you.
And don’t lie – we’ve all done it.
Refreshing IG stories over and over. Zooming in on who’s standing next to whom.
Reading the captions like they’re some kind of secret code.
It feels like proof that everyone is having fun – except you.
That sinking pit in your chest? That’s FOMO at the speed of light.
Without a doubt, feeling left out sucks, but it doesn’t mean you’re not loved, wanted, or worthy.
It just means this one moment wasn’t yours.
And that’s okay. What matters is how you handle it – without letting it eat you alive.
Social Media ≠ Truth
That party you’re torturing yourself over? Chances are, it wasn’t as magical as the clips make it look.
Someone was bored. Someone wanted to go home early.
Someone was checking their phone, wishing they were somewhere else.
People only post the best angles – never the awkward silences or the toilet breaks.
You’re comparing your whole messy, real life to someone else’s highlight reel.
Instead of “Why Not Me?” Ask “What Do I Need Right Now?”
The spiral usually goes like this: Why wasn’t I invited? Did I do something wrong? Do they even like me anymore?
Pause. Flip the question.
Ask yourself: What do I need right now?
Maybe it’s putting on your comfort show. Maybe it’s journaling out the pain you felt. Maybe it’s texting that one friend who always makes you laugh.
However, always understand that no party will ever fill the void if you’re not taking care of yourself first.
If You’re Left Out, Create Your Own Fun
Being excluded makes you feel powerless. But you’re not.
You don’t have to sit there scrolling until your thumbs ache.
Make your own moment.
Plan matcha dates with your closest friend.
Try that cooking class you’ve been eyeing – and make a reel of it (if you want to).
When It’s Your Close Friends, Speak Up
Yes, it stings way more when the people leaving you out are your so-called “ride or dies.”
If it happens once, maybe it was an oversight.
But if it keeps happening and it’s eating at you, it’s okay to say something.
A simple, “Hey, I felt left out when I saw you guys went out,” can clear the air.
If they care, they’ll make space for you.
If they don’t? Well, then you’ve got your answer. And it’s better to know than to keep guessing.
Growing Out of FOMO (and Into Yourself)
FOMO makes you feel like you’re on the outside looking in.
But here’s the truth: one missed night, one group chat, or one blurry photo on someone else’s feed doesn’t define your worth.
Circles change. Friends drift.
The people you cry over today might be strangers to you ten years from now.
And that’s not a loss, it’s growth.
Because as you change, your circle will too.
The ones who are meant to stay will stay, and the ones who don’t? They’re simply making space for better people, better memories, and better seasons of your life.
So, the next time you catch yourself refreshing stories and feeling that sting, take a breath and remember: your life is bigger than one party.
Ten years from now, you’ll look back and realise you didn’t miss out – you grew up, you moved forward, and you built something of your own.
And honestly? That’s so much better.
From one girl to another – you are enough!