Declinism is a cognitive bias that involves overestimating the severity of negative events and underestimating the severity of positive ones. It often leads people to believe that things are getting worse, when in reality they are not.

This can be harmful because it can cause people to give up on their goals or make poor decisions based on inaccurate information.

How does declinism work?

Declinism works by skewing our perception of events. When we experience a negative event, we tend to exaggerate its importance and downplay the positive aspects of it.

For example, if you get fired from your job, you may think that this is the end of your career. However, if you get a promotion at work, you may think that it’s not a big deal. This distorted view of events can lead us to believe that things are getting worse, even when they’re not.

Why do we fall victim to declinism?

There are a few reasons why we may be prone to declinism. One reason is that our brains are wired to pay more attention to negative information. This is known as the negativity bias and it’s an evolutionary adaptation that helped our ancestors survive. By paying more attention to potential threats, they were more likely to avoid them.

Another reason we may be susceptible to declinism is that we tend to compare ourselves to others. When we see someone who is doing better than us, it can make us feel like we’re falling behind. This can lead us to believe that things are worse than they actually are.

Finally, declinism may also be fueled by our desire for certainty. When things are going well, we may feel like they’ll never end. However, when things start to go wrong, we may feel like they’ll never get better. This can create a self-fulfilling prophecy where our negative beliefs lead to negative outcomes.

How to overcome declinism

The first step to overcoming declinism is to become aware of it. Pay attention to your thoughts and see if you tend to exaggerate the severity of negative events.

If you catch yourself doing this, try to reframe the situation in a more positive light. For example, instead of thinking “I’ll never get another job,” try thinking “This is an opportunity to find a job that’s even better than my last one.”

Another way to overcome declinism is to focus on your personal growth. Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your own progress. This can help you see that you’re making progress even when things are tough.

Finally, try to embrace uncertainty. When things are going well, remind yourself that they might not last forever. This can help you appreciate the good times and prevent you from taking them for granted.

And when things are tough, remind yourself that they will eventually get better. This can help you stay resilient in the face of adversity.

Declinism can be harmful because it can distort our perception of reality. However, by becoming aware of it and taking steps to overcome it, we can protect ourselves from its negative effects.