Social media makes it easy to think, “I should have been there,” or “Something important is happening without me.”
But if you reflect for a moment, you’ll realize that you’ve missed plenty of events in the past — and still ended up at others that mattered just as much, sometimes even more.
The reality is that many of these gatherings repeat themselves year after year.
The same shows, parties, and networking spaces tend to reappear, often with the same circles of people moving through them.
What feels like a missed chance today is often just part of an ongoing rhythm. Very little is ever truly gone.
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It’s also worth remembering that social media captures only the highlight reel.
You see the glamour, the best angles, the curated moments.
What you don’t see are the awkward conversations, the overcrowded rooms, the exhaustion, or the people quietly wishing they had stayed home. The event you felt desperate to attend might have turned out underwhelming — or you might have spent the night looking for a reason to leave early.
And even if it was the party everyone will talk about for months, not being there still doesn’t diminish your path.
SECOND PAUSE.
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Fashion Week is a perfect example. It’s easy to get swept up in the spectacle — the front rows, the runway shows, the after-parties. But Fashion Week happens multiple times every year across different cities. Missing one season doesn’t close the door; sometimes it simply gives you time to prepare for the next.
In fact, what you gain is clarity.
You start noticing who organizes the events, where the gatherings take place, which people you’d like to connect with. You discover the names, the venues, the emails. What once felt inaccessible slowly becomes familiar territory.
Another important truth: you’re far from alone in feeling this way. Many people in the industry admit they struggle with the same fear of missing out. Even those attending several events will still feel that pang when they hear about the one they couldn’t get into. FOMO doesn’t disappear with access — it just shifts shape.
On a deeper level, there is also something to be said about timing.
Some opportunities arrive effortlessly when the moment is right. Trying to force your way in can sometimes work if the intention comes from alignment and curiosity. But when the motivation is pure anxiety or comparison, it rarely leads anywhere fulfilling.
Instead of dwelling on what happened without you, turn your attention to what’s ahead. Look for the next gatherings, the next conversations, the next doors opening.
Release the fear of missing out — and make space for what’s meant to find you.
Best,
Chanel