Declinism Bias: What You Need to Know About This Cognitive Bias

When I look back on my past, I feel nostalgia — I mean, who wouldn’t? But, I never viewed my past as a time when I was my best. The person I am today is the best version of myself I can be, and the one I will be tomorrow would be equally best. Even then, I know people who feel like their past was the best and their present is a drag.

While you might not notice it being a big deal, this thinking can be termed “declinism” in psychology. Declinism is a psychological bias where you see your past as the best and your future as pessimistic as you can.

This shift in perception can cause feelings of apathy and depression, if not addressed and dealt with. If you’ve got a bad case of declinism bias, then this article is a must-read for you. Changing your perspective, even if it’s about your circumstances, can make each day matter, and your life worth looking forward to.

In this article, let’s learn more about what declinism bias is, how it affects us, and how you can overcome this cognitive bias.

Declinism: What Is It About?

Declinism is a cognitive bias where you believe that your past was the best and the current and future life is nothing but wrong or terrible. This shift in view can make you feel worse about your present and yearn (almost destructively) for your past.

You engage in declinism bias when you say or hear phrases like, “It was easier back in my days” or “It wasn’t this bad in the past.”

Other examples of declinism bias can include;

“Things didn’t use to be this bad in the past.”

“My health is getting worse from here. I’m not going to feel young anymore.”

“Today’s generation doesn’t know what fun our times used to be.”

“There are no decent jobs left anymore. It was easy to get a job back then.”

“No one’s teaching anything worthwhile anymore.”

“Back then, we knew how to fix things. Now, smartphones are ruining our lives.”

These are just some declinism bias examples I could think of. These phrases might not be conscious all the time, but they do show how our mind prefers to think about past, present, and future circumstances.

What Does Research Say?

Declinism bias is more or less a response to a time when we felt our best. Studies have found that older people are more likely to remember memories from their youth than later in life memories. Of course, the memories of better (and younger) times can make us feel positive.

Moreover, believing that our past was the best can give us comfort when we’re going through times of uncertainty or change. This cognitive bias can also help us cope with the present anxiety by thinking about a simpler and happier past.

Did you know that according to a study, as time passes, the negative feelings we link with memories fade? In the end, we’re left with happy feelings and positive emotions that we associate with past memories.

The Impact of Declinism on Mental Health

Thinking about happy emotions from your past isn’t a dangerous thing, but when these emotions and feelings from your past begin to impact your present, that’s when it becomes problematic. Studies show that the more you focus on positive and happy memories from your past, the more you become inclined to do it.

Now, it makes sense, right? If you look back on your past with happy memories, you’re less likely to feel bad.

But, this can turn into a defense mechanism where you only think about positive and happy memories and ignore negative emotions from your past. The more you do this, the more you risk experiencing symptoms of depression.

It’s OK to look back on your past, but the more you do that, the more you believe that your present is not on par with your past. This, eventually, can make you experience a sense of helplessness.

The past is your past; it can’t – and shouldn’t – overrule your present or change the course of your future. There will always be happy, sad, and stressful memories associated with your past, but you need to learn how to balance healthy nostalgia with toxic declinism. Don’t let yourself get lost in the past so much so that you forget to enjoy the present.

How to Overcome Declinism Bias?

It’s time you moved on from your past and saw your present and future without the rosy lens. Here are some ways you can overcome declinism bias;

• See What Is How It Is

If you keep listening to others, you’ll never look at your present or your future from a happy perspective. It’s important to see things how they are. Have you heard of the game, “Chinese Whisper”? The more second-hand information you get, the more skewed your perspective becomes. Instead of letting others color your impression, see things how they are, yourself.

• Think Optimistically

Circumstances can change at the drop of a hat, but it’s up to us to decide how we see them. Instead of wanting to turn back time, think about the good happening around you. The past is in the past, you can’t change it. But, you can choose to look at your present and see how lucky you’re today. There’s always beauty in the present; choose to look at that.

• Visualize Your Future

You can’t stay stuck in the past or you won’t ever move on. If you don’t move forward, you’ll lose in life. Instead of longing for the past, visualize a better future. Think about new goals you’re excited to start working on or what your dream life looks like. Once you know what you want, you can work on finding the next steps to become better.

• Change Is Inevitable, Accept It

Like I said, you can’t stay stuck in the past and not think about the change that you need in life. Changes are a part of life and you need to learn how to accept them, without ignoring them. In this moment, you may think of change as evil, but in the long run, it will help you grow into an even better version of yourself.

• Take Charge of Your Life

Instead of saying how much better your life used to be, take action to change it now. This means taking charge of your life. Manifest and create a life you think is good for you. Get involved in your community, volunteer, give back, and stay true to your passions. You can’t change the world by thinking of it. You need to take action, so do it.

Wrapping Up…

The past is in the past, but it never leaves you. The idea that the past was the best isn’t always good for your present or your future. Step away from the trap of declinism bias and change your perspective. Remember, the more you keep looking into the rearview mirror, the more you’ll miss out on the traffic ahead of you. It might not all be pleasant, but it’ll be worth it.

Know that the best is yet to come, so don’t let declinism hold you back from enjoying the present.

Are you also stuck in the past, not knowing how to move forward? Is it declinism bias or something else? Reach out to a professional for help in understanding the reasons for your being lost in the past.

If this article helped you understand what is declinism bias, then do share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Take Care!