This week’s zine began with a simple question:
“What if FOMO has been messing with us since fire was invented?”

And once you imagine a caveman stuck watching eggs while his friends discover fire, it’s hard to stop seeing FOMO everywhere — from Roman scribes missing wine parties to moldy bread almost getting ignored in favor of balloon races.

Zine No. 5: A Brief History of FOMO is part fake history, part very real coping strategy. It traces the ancient roots of the Fear of Missing Out, explains how it evolved into modern scrollhole spirals, and offers a few tiny magical ways to break the spell.

Whether you’re a chronic doomscroller, an introvert who occasionally panics about brunch photos, or someone who just needs a cozy armchair and a cat with popcorn — this one’s for you.

You can read it online on Substack, or download printable versions below to share, fold, or stash in your backpack for quiet reflection.

Please don’t forget to download the printing instructions, as well.