When Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy was asked if he felt FOMO — fear of missing out — for not starring in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film adaptation of The Odyssey, he said, “I have ROMO– relief of missing out,” impressing admirers with this lesser-known phrase, one that resonated with audiences worldwide.
Explaining himself, Murphy said, “ROMO is the opposite of FOMO…let me clarify, what I meant was that it’s a real gift to go and see Chris’ films without having the terrible burden of looking at my own stupid head…so that’s what is relief of missing out.”
His words have travelled far beyond Hollywood, inspiring not just the tech-savvy Gen Z but people across age groups. In India, politician Smriti Irani invoked the phrase at the NDTV Yuva conclave 2025, saying she “doesn’t experience FOMO” about her Parliamentary life and citing Murphy’s term ROMO to take potshots at rivals.
What does ROMO really mean?
Forbes India, in a 2022 article, described ROMO as “the relief of being oblivious to an event or news item.” Citing research from the United Kingdom and the United States, it explained that against the backdrop of “anxiety-provoking political, health and economic context, more and more internet users are turning away from the news. On the contrary, they will voluntarily avoid the media, as well as any digital technology that could provide them with news.”
Social media platforms, with their disappearing stories, group chats, and “seen” receipts, are designed to fuel FOMO. The pressure to respond instantly or stay perpetually updated has become an exhausting way of life.
Cillian Murphy’s explanation for why he said he has #ROMO 🤣 (©️ The Colbert Show) pic.twitter.com/3DOx3eSz3o
— Cillian Murphy Fans (@CMurphyFans) September 9, 2025
According to Oorvi Bhateja, consultant psychologist at LimbiQ Centre for Psychiatry and Child Development, Delhi, ROMO offers a healthier, gentler way of living. “Instead of feeling guilty for skipping a party or not answering that late-night work email, ROMO reframes it as a positive choice,” she said.
Research, she added, shows that constant digital pull increases anxiety, sleeplessness, and even low mood. “It’s saying: I’m choosing peace over pressure. At home, it means more time for rest, family, or hobbies. At work, it’s about protecting boundaries and avoiding burnout. In a world that pushes us to do more, ROMO reminds us that sometimes, doing less is healthier.”
Relief of missing out” (ROMO) is a psychological concept describing the feeling of peace and well-being that comes from intentionally disconnecting from the internet. (Source: Freepik)
How to practise ROMO without guilt
According to Bhateja, FOMO isn’t just in our heads; it’s baked into our apps. “Stories that vanish in 24 hours, presence indicators, and ‘likes’ that measure popularity all feed the fear of being left behind.”
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But she believes small steps can help us reclaim control. “Turn off non-essential notifications. Give yourself permission to say ‘no’ without over-explaining. Reframe missing out as gaining something else: a quiet evening, better sleep, or simply the joy of being present. Even putting your phone in another room during dinner can create relief pockets,” she said.
ROMO as an antidote to burnout
Research suggests high FOMO is linked with stress, compulsive phone use, and even neglecting face-to-face conversations,just to check updates. ROMO, on the other hand, can act as a reset,an escape from the noise.
“Relief replaces apprehension, and space opens up for rest, creativity, and real connection. In a world where ‘always on’ has become the default, ROMO might be the permission slip we need to slow down and protect ourselves from burnout,” Bhateja concluded.
