#loss-aversion

#loss-aversion

Many mess-ups relate to loss: the bowl we drop and break, the airline miles we accidentally let expire, the job interview we worked hard to get, then blunder. We know from research on loss aversion that losing something we had already acquired stings intensely, even though these losses pale in comparison to opportunities we never pursue. This insight can help you see that there are many ways to counter a loss.

Snapchat gave you nine years to fill their servers with your memories. Now they're charging you to keep them. In September 2025, Snapchat announced it would end free storage for "Memories", the feature where users have saved more than one trillion photos and videos since 2016. Users who exceed 5GB now face a choice. Will you pay for storage plans, or watch your memories disappear after a 12-month grace period?

Individuals are more reluctant to lose something they possess than to acquire something of value that they presently lack. This leads to a massive difference in how motivated they become to accomplish new objectives. In psychology, this is referred to as loss aversion. A study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General illustrates what this looks like in everyday life. Across four experiments, it became clear that the fear of loss can often be a far stronger motivator than hope for gaining something new.

When someone has a compulsive need for love, they devote themselves entirely to their relationships. They invest time, emotional energy, effort, and sometimes their entire identity into their love lives.