When Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy was requested if he felt FOMO — worry of lacking out — for not starring in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming movie adaptation of The Odyssey, he mentioned, “I’ve ROMO– reduction of lacking out,” impressing admirers with this lesser-known phrase, one which resonated with audiences worldwide.
Explaining himself, Murphy mentioned, “ROMO is the other of FOMO…let me make clear, what I meant was that it’s an actual present to go and see Chris’ movies with out having the horrible burden of taking a look at my very own silly head…in order that’s what’s reduction of lacking out.”
His phrases have travelled far past Hollywood, inspiring not simply the tech-savvy Gen Z however individuals throughout age teams. In India, politician Smriti Irani invoked the phrase on the NDTV Yuva conclave 2025, saying she “doesn’t expertise FOMO” about her Parliamentary life and citing Murphy’s time period ROMO to take potshots at rivals.
What does ROMO actually imply?
Forbes India, in a 2022 article, described ROMO as “the reduction of being oblivious to an occasion or information merchandise.” Citing analysis from the UK and america, it defined that towards the backdrop of “anxiety-provoking political, well being and financial context, increasingly more web customers are turning away from the information. Quite the opposite, they may voluntarily keep away from the media, in addition to any digital expertise that would present them with information.”
Social media platforms, with their disappearing tales, group chats, and “seen” receipts, are designed to gas FOMO. The strain to reply immediately or keep perpetually up to date has develop into an exhausting lifestyle.
Cillian Murphy’s rationalization for why he mentioned he has #ROMO 🤣 (©️ The Colbert Present) pic.twitter.com/3DOx3eSz3o
— Cillian Murphy Followers (@CMurphyFans) September 9, 2025
In keeping with Oorvi Bhateja, advisor psychologist at LimbiQ Centre for Psychiatry and Youngster Improvement, Delhi, ROMO affords a more healthy, gentler way of life. “As a substitute of feeling responsible for skipping a celebration or not answering that late-night work e mail, ROMO reframes it as a optimistic selection,” she mentioned.
Analysis, she added, reveals that fixed digital pull will increase nervousness, sleeplessness, and even low temper. “It’s saying: I’m selecting peace over strain. At residence, it means extra time for relaxation, household, or hobbies. At work, it’s about defending boundaries and avoiding burnout. In a world that pushes us to do extra, ROMO reminds us that generally, doing much less is more healthy.”
Reduction of lacking out” (ROMO) is a psychological idea describing the sensation of peace and well-being that comes from deliberately disconnecting from the web. (Supply: Freepik)
How one can practise ROMO with out guilt
In keeping with Bhateja, FOMO isn’t simply in our heads; it’s baked into our apps. “Tales that vanish in 24 hours, presence indicators, and ‘likes’ that measure recognition all feed the worry of being left behind.”
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However she believes small steps will help us reclaim management. “Flip off non-essential notifications. Give your self permission to say ‘no’ with out over-explaining. Reframe lacking out as gaining one thing else: a quiet night, higher sleep, or just the enjoyment of being current. Even placing your telephone in one other room throughout dinner can create reduction pockets,” she mentioned.
ROMO as an antidote to burnout
Analysis suggests excessive FOMO is linked with stress, compulsive telephone use, and even neglecting face-to-face conversations, simply to verify updates. ROMO, then again, can act as a reset, an escape from the noise.
“Reduction replaces apprehension, and house opens up for relaxation, creativity, and actual connection. In a world the place ‘all the time on’ has develop into the default, ROMO could be the permission slip we have to decelerate and defend ourselves from burnout,” Bhateja concluded.
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