Why We Fear the Future and What We Can Do About It

Anxiety related to fear of the future has been on the rise over the past decade. Data from top research organizations, consistently show increasing fears related to things like economic stability, politics, technology and climate change. I'm guessing this is not a surprise to anyone reading this article.

However, it's not the objective of this article to ruminate on why anxiety about fear of the future is increasing. Instead, I think it's worth a look at why humans are fearful of the future and how we might be able to mitigate some of that fear.

Most of us are rational beings and thus, most of us realize we can't control the future. We all live in a "no-crystal-ball" zone. Then, why are so many people fearful of the future? Here's some things to noodle on.

• Fear of Change

  Change can be unsettling, even when the change is positive. And by definition, the future almost always brings about change. It involves things shifting, evolving, or being unknown. This can cause apprehension for those who prefer stability (most of us). The "familiar" is comfy and losing that comfiness, can create fear.

  
  

• Fear of the Unknown

  The future is inherently unknown and unknowable. Thus, it can't be understood. Humans tend to fear what they don’t understand or can’t predict. The unknown can feel threatening because it disrupts the mind’s sense of stability. People often imagine worst-case scenarios, even when those outcomes are unlikely. This is sometimes referred to as catastrophizing.

  
  

• Need for Control

  Because the future is unknown and unknowable, it's not controllable. People have a strong psychological desire for control over their lives. When faced with uncertainty, this lack of control can make a person feel helpless and can trigger anxiety. Even though the future is uncontrollable, the mind tries to prepare for it by worrying. Related to this is the illusion of control: the belief that one has more influence over future events than is realistic. This can lead to disappointment or fear when things don’t go as planned.

  
  

• Survival Instinct

  Human brains evolved to anticipate potential threats and dangers. Even though we know we can’t control the future, fear and worry act as survival mechanisms. They encourage us to stay alert and avoid risks. This evolutionary trait keeps us cautious about the unknown, even though it's out of our control.

  
  

• Fear of Losing Things

  Psychologically, humans tend to fear loss more than they value gains. As the future unfolds, people tend to worry about losing things they currently have; in particular, health and relationships. Even though people can't control the future, the idea of losing something of value can create uneasiness and anxiety.

  
  

• Emotional Attachment to Outcomes

  People often worry about the future because they're concerned about specific outcomes; such as, achieving success, or protecting and providing for loved ones. This emotional investment makes it hard to let go of worrying, even though they recognize they can’t fully control future events.

• Internal and External Pressures

  Society places a lot of emphasis on planning for the future —whether it’s financial planning, educational goals, or career trajectory. There's a constant, and often times nagging, pressure to prepare for the unknown. Even though individuals don't have control over future events, there's still a societal expectation that somehow, your planning was so good that you "predicted the future." In addition, there's a tendency to compare yourself to others. These societal benchmarks of success can heighten fear of not meeting expectations in what is always an uncertain world.

  
  

• Influence of Media

  Consumption of ever-present media can increase fears about the future. News about economic crises, environmental disasters, political instability, and technological changes often emphasizes uncertainty and risk. This constant exposure to negative information can reinforce fear, even when individuals know they have little control over these larger issues.

  
  

• Projection Bias

  Assuming that current emotions or circumstances will continue into the future, creating fear if current experiences are negative.

Wow. This is a lot of stuff. Some of it probably feels quite familiar. How then, can can we mitigate our fear of the future? Like anything else, it takes work, patience and willingness to take small steps and celebrate success.

Yeah, I know, this seems obvious. In spite of that (or, perhaps because of that), give it a try. Pick one small thing that makes you anxious about the future and apply a logical argument to dispel the fear and thus the anxiety. Keep at it. It may take months, even years; but if it can help improve your well-being, then it's certainly worth the effort.