The Fig Tree Dilemma: FOMO, Choices & the Fear of Settling
A creative psychology-based workshop exploring why our generation feels in a race to 'choose right' instead of choosing fully
Date and time
Location
The Phoenix
348 Clapham Road London SW9 9AR United KingdomRefund Policy
About this event
- Event lasts 2 hours
“I saw my life branching out before me like the green fig tree in the story… From the tip of every branch, like a fat purple fig, a wonderful future beckoned… But choosing one meant losing all the rest.” – Sylvia Plath
Do you ever feel stuck staring at a million options, wondering which one to pick? Like every choice feels urgent, but none feels quite right? You’re not alone.
This workshop gently explores why our generation rushes to find the “right path” and why FOMO makes us feel so restless. Together, we’ll use Sylvia Plath’s fig tree metaphor alongside insights from psychology to understand our fears, hopes, and the pressure to choose.
You’ll get space to reflect, connect with others, and discover how to root your decisions in what truly matters to you, not just what looks good on the surface.
This interactive, psychology-driven workshop unpacks the roots of modern FOMO and decision anxiety, from cognitive biases to social comparison, while weaving in Sylvia Plath’s haunting fig tree metaphor.
Through guided reflections, creative exercises, and conversation, we'll explore:
- Why your brain struggles with abundance.
- How 'the fear of missing out' impacts relationships, careers, and life milestones.
- The difference between settling and simply choosing.
You’ll leave with clarity, self-compassion, and tools to approach big life decisions without the constant hum of “what if?” in your head.
What You’ll Get
- Insight into the psychological patterns driving your indecision and FOMO.
- Creative prompts inspired by literature and evidence-based psychology.
- A reframed perspective on choice, possibility, and commitment.
- Space to connect with others navigating similar crossroads.
Who This Is For
- 20- and 30-somethings facing big decisions (career, relationships, life direction).
- People who feel stuck between too many good options.
- Anyone haunted by “what if” thinking and decision regret.
Event Details
Date: Friday, 6th September 2025
Time: 10:00 - 12:00 PM
Location: The Phoenix, 348 Clapham Rd, London SW9 9AR
Tickets: Limited spots for an intimate, peer-led experience.
Reserve your spot now, your fig tree will still be waiting, but your ticket might not.
Frequently asked questions
Fill my Canvas creates intelligent, artful spaces for self-discovery, using psychology, creativity, and conversation to explore the big questions of being human. Our workshops blend evidence-based concepts with expressive exercises, because deep thinking doesn’t have to be dry.
Not at all. We’ll introduce the fig tree metaphor during the workshop, no prior reading required. It’s less about literature analysis and more about using her words as a lens for modern decision-making.
No. This is an educational, creative, and peer-led space using psychology concepts, not a therapy session. While it can feel therapeutic, it’s not a substitute for professional mental health support.
Only if you want to. You’ll be given reflective prompts, but how much you share is completely up to you.
Yes, the workshop explores much more than “fear of missing out.” We’ll cover decision anxiety, perfectionism, life milestones, and why choice can feel overwhelming in today’s world.
It’s a mix of short talks, guided reflections, and small-group conversations. You’ll be actively engaged but never put on the spot.
Just yourself with an open mind. We’ll provide any creative materials you need.