How our stone age mind creates our modern struggles

You're not alone—this is a story as old as humanity itself. Our brains evolved hundreds of thousands of years ago. And in a world full of dangers, it only had one job: To keep you safe. But the very strategies that ensured our survival in the Stone Age often create the challenges we face in the Modern Age. Here are 3 behavioral strategies that often get in our way:

Constantly on the lookout for danger (aka the negativity bias)
In the Stone Age, being constantly on the lookout for danger was crucial for survival. But today, in our relatively safe world, this same instinct can turn into overwhelming anxiety and fear, even when there’s no real threat. In science, this is called the negativity bias (we are hardwired to see the negative much more than the positive!).

Replaying the past over and over again
Back in the Stone Age, replaying past experiences helped our ancestors remember what they did to survive, preparing them for future threats. But in the Modern Age, this often leads to dwelling on painful memories, with nothing new to learn. We get stuck in a loop, reliving the past instead of moving forward.

Fit into the group
In the Stone Age, fitting into your local group was essential for survival—being alone meant certain death. Today, our “group” is global, and we’re constantly, often unconsciously, comparing ourselves to others. This ramps up our fear of being judged or not measuring up.

Wanting more
Our ancestors needed to gather as many resources as possible—food, water, tools—to ensure survival during tough times. This instinct has carried over into the Modern Age, manifesting as an endless craving for more: more success, more possessions, more validation. But this constant desire for more can leave us feeling dissatisfied and unfulfilled, even when we already have enough.

The good news? Neuroscience tells us our brains are adaptable (neuroplasticity). We can rewire our thought patterns through cognitive-behavioral techniques and break free from these Stone Age patterns, to move towards a life of true fulfillment, effectiveness, and well-being.

Remember: Your mind isn’t abnormal—it's just doing the job it evolved to do. The key is learning how to work with it, not against it.