Always Behind? How to Deal with Career FOMO in the Age of Instagram and LinkedIn

You scroll through LinkedIn and someone just became a founder at 26. Flip over to Instagram and a college friend is working remotely from Bali. It feels like everyone else is moving faster, achieving more, and living a cooler life. That quiet panic you feel? That’s career FOMO—fear of missing out professionally—and it’s become a common mental weight, especially for young Indians building their lives from Tier 2 cities.

The Pressure of Curated Success

Social media was once about staying connected. Today, it’s a never-ending display of wins, promotions, brand deals, and startup exits. But what’s rarely shown are the struggles behind those wins—the failed projects, burnout, debt, or family pressure that might be hidden from view.

When we compare our full, messy lives to someone else’s highlight reel, we’re bound to feel behind. But it’s not a fair comparison.

How Career FOMO Shows Up

It’s not just jealousy. Career FOMO can lead to restlessness, poor focus, job-hopping, or chasing things you don’t even want—just because others are doing it. It can also push people into self-doubt, especially when you’re working in smaller cities with fewer flashy opportunities around.

You might question whether your path is even worth pursuing if it doesn’t “look impressive” online.

Choosing Depth Over Appearances

A meaningful career isn’t always public. Many of the best career moves—like learning deeply, building relationships, or laying the groundwork for something long-term—don’t look good on social media.

And yet, those are the things that quietly build careers that last. Depth matters more than visibility.

Managing the Triggers

If certain accounts make you feel worse about yourself, mute them. Not because you’re bitter, but because you’re protecting your focus. Follow people who show the full story—failures, rejections, pivots—not just the wins.

More importantly, set your own metrics for growth: Are you learning? Earning respect? Taking care of your health? Social media won’t celebrate these, but they matter in the long run.

Bringing It Back to Reality

In Tier 2 cities, the journey may look different—slower, quieter, less glam. But that doesn’t mean it’s less valuable. It often builds a stronger foundation. Staying grounded, saving more, gaining real-world experience—these add up over time.

And once your growth takes off, it’s likely to last longer because it wasn’t just built for likes.

Conclusion

Career FOMO is real, and social media amplifies it. But remember this: timelines aren’t trophies. Just because someone else reached somewhere faster doesn’t mean your path is wrong. Stay focused, filter what you consume, and build your career with intention—not insecurity