Summer is supposed to be the best time of the year — but for many people, it quietly becomes the loneliest. Scrolling through endless beach photos, festival stories, and exotic travel posts can create a powerful illusion: that everyone else's life is more exciting, more full, more worth living than yours. Sound familiar? Take this quiz to find out how much FOMO — the fear of missing out — is shaping your summer experience.
Scoring: A = 1 point | B = 2 points | C = 3 points | D = 4 points
1. I feel bad when I see acquaintances posting about exotic holidays on social media.
- A: Very much like me
- B: Somewhat like me
- C: Not really like me
- D: Not like me at all
2. I feel like a lot of my summer is wasted because I'm not travelling as much as other people.
- A: Very much like me
- B: Somewhat like me
- C: Not really like me
- D: Not like me at all
3. Having no plans on a weekend makes me anxious, especially when I know others are out having fun.
- A: Very much like me
- B: Somewhat like me
- C: Not really like me
- D: Not like me at all
4. I often compare my ordinary days to the carefully curated holiday photos I see online.
- A: Very much like me
- B: Somewhat like me
- C: Not really like me
- D: Not like me at all
5. Spending a beautiful summer evening alone at home makes me feel lonelier than the same situation in winter would.
- A: Very much like me
- B: Somewhat like me
- C: Not really like me
- D: Not like me at all
6. I tend to overspend or sign up for events I don't even enjoy, just so I don't feel left out.
- A: Very much like me
- B: Somewhat like me
- C: Not really like me
- D: Not like me at all
7. I genuinely believe other people's lives are more exciting and fulfilling than mine during the summer months.
- A: Very much like me
- B: Somewhat like me
- C: Not really like me
- D: Not like me at all
8. When I post a photo from my summer, I anxiously track the likes — as if the number validates whether my experience was worth having.
- A: Very much like me
- B: Somewhat like me
- C: Not really like me
- D: Not like me at all
9. I struggle to relax and be present because my mind keeps drifting to what other people might be doing right now.
- A: Very much like me
- B: Somewhat like me
- C: Not really like me
- D: Not like me at all
10. I feel external pressure to have a perfect, memorable summer — as if anything less would be a failure.
- A: Very much like me
- B: Somewhat like me
- C: Not really like me
- D: Not like me at all
11. When I meet up with friends, I feel awkward if I have nothing exciting to report — no big trip, no adventure to share.
- A: Very much like me
- B: Somewhat like me
- C: Not really like me
- D: Not like me at all
12. I actively avoid certain people's posts because I know they'll just leave me feeling worse about my own summer.
- A: Very much like me
- B: Somewhat like me
- C: Not really like me
- D: Not like me at all
13. If I find out my friends had a barbecue or a beach day without me, I dwell on it for days.
- A: Very much like me
- B: Somewhat like me
- C: Not really like me
- D: Not like me at all
14. The long, warm days of summer intensify my feeling that everyone else is happy and busy — and I'm the only one on my own.
- A: Very much like me
- B: Somewhat like me
- C: Not really like me
- D: Not like me at all
15. I catch myself thinking about how to make my summer look more exciting on social media than it actually is.
- A: Very much like me
- B: Somewhat like me
- C: Not really like me
- D: Not like me at all
16. When summer ends and everyone goes back to their normal routines, I feel a sense of relief.
- A: Very much like me
- B: Somewhat like me
- C: Not really like me
- D: Not like me at all
Your results
Strong summer FOMO and loneliness (16–28 points)
Summer is genuinely taking an emotional toll on you right now. The illusion of the perfect summer projected by social media hits you hard, and you tend to measure your real, unfiltered days against other people's most polished moments. That constant comparison can spiral into feelings of isolation, anxiety, and even guilt — all of which get in the way of appreciating what's actually good in your own life.
The most powerful step you can take right now is a conscious digital detox. Limit your scrolling, especially on weekends, and don't hesitate to mute accounts that consistently make you feel inadequate. Prioritise offline experiences — and when you find something genuinely enjoyable, try resisting the urge to photograph it. Just be in it. Remind yourself that what glitters on a screen is often the result of an exhausting journey or a stressful day that nobody ever posts about.
Moderate FOMO, fluctuating mood (29–44 points)
You're caught in a quiet tug-of-war between what you want your summer to look like and what it actually is. On a rational level, you know social media isn't real life — but on a long, golden summer evening, loneliness can still creep in. A stunning beach post can trigger a flash of envy, and you feel the pull to do something memorable, even when you're not sure what that would actually be.
To shift this pattern, try reframing what "missing out" really means. A quiet evening at home watching a film isn't wasted time — it's genuine mental recovery. If you're feeling lonely, don't wait for others to reach out; take the initiative and suggest a simple afternoon coffee or ice cream with someone you like. Chasing likes instead of experiences is a trap it's easy to fall into — a gratitude journal where you note three small good things from each day can quietly but powerfully bring your focus back to your own life.
Balanced and FOMO-free (45–64 points)
You've genuinely mastered the art of being present. The summer hype barely touches you, and you've developed a real ability to detach from external expectations and social media pressure. You don't let a like count determine the value of your experiences, you're comfortable spending time alone, and you understand that rest doesn't have to mean constant activity or exotic destinations.
To keep this healthy balance, let your offline presence inspire the people around you. Put your phone away when you're with others and give them your full attention — it's a small act that speaks volumes. And since you're not draining energy on unnecessary anxiety, use this peaceful season well: dive into a new hobby, learn something that genuinely interests you, or simply savour the rare luxury of slowing down.
