Girlhood FOMO: The lonely phenomenon striking women in their 30s

Eliza Becker, a 27-year-old from Wollongong, recently shared a video on social media discussing what she refers to as “girlhood FOMO” — the fear of missing out on the close-knit female friendship groups often portrayed in media.Even though she posted the clip in a moment of vulnerability, hoping to connect with others who might be feeling the same way, she was taken aback by the overwhelming response from thousands of women her experience resonated with.It shows that she’s not alone, with the sad phenomenon overwhelmingly striking women in their 30s.“It was a Friday night, and I had just wrapped up a really busy week at work.I felt proud of what I had accomplished and wanted to see some friends, have a drink, and unwind,” she told news.com.au.“I messaged a few friends, but they were all busy, and my partner was out, which left me a bit disheartened.“I often feel this way, and it has led me to do many things on my own — which I’m perfectly okay with — but it’s just times like this that you’d appreciate company”.

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Friendship in your 20s and 30s doesn’t always mirror the cast of Friends or the Instagram highlight reels of your colleagues’ weekend recaps, which can leave many women feeling as though they’re not “doing” adulthood right.“I think as girls, we are often made to believe we need a group,” Ms.Becker says.

“We’re constantly told about the importance of ‘girlhood’ and having a solid circle of friends to talk through life issues and relationships with”.“The media plays a role in this, but I think we often misinterpret the message.They showcase the best parts — the parties, brunches, fun times, and shopping — but the reality is that there wo...