The cost of choosing presence

I’ve been having more FOMO than expected since the turn of the new year.

After working on the new Jumanji film in LA the last 3 months, I made a decision for the holiday break.

I didn’t want to spend any of it creating content.

This meant I did no 2025 wrap up post, no New Years post, nothing.

Working in film means stealing minutes here and there building something of your own outside of it, like telling stories and creating content online.

So for the past few years, I’ve been using the free time during holiday breaks as a content sprint. Cramming as much as humanly possible into a 2 week time span.

In the past that choice has cost me real things. Time with the people that I love, mental bandwidth I never got back, and honestly a constant feeling of low level burnout.

So these past few weeks I did it. I was intentional with my phone usage. I kept my computer and camera stowed away in my bag. I spent quality time with my loved ones. I shut off my brain for once.

And it was great.

But now that I’m back to reality, and seeing everyone come out with a bang with their new years posts, it’s hard not to be anxious and feel like I’m starting the year behind.

It’s a strange feeling.

To be proud of yourself for making a choice that deeply aligns with your values, while still feeling the weight of the consequences.

The internet and social media doesn’t reward the aligned moments we have behind the scenes.

It rewards being visible. And in January at the turn of the year, this pressure is amplified.

The same way people hit the gym hard for 2 weeks, people on social media come out swingin’.

But I’m embracing my choice. I’m starting slower this year while still being intentional.

And I’m choosing consistency over trying to catch up to the annual January hype train.

Being present may not compound publicly, but it compounds meaningfully.

Caleb