The Cult of New Experience Bias

Ever been to a destination, concert, restaurant, art exhibit, speakeasy, grand opening, pickleball game, spin class, pilates session, oyster bar—whatever—and your first thought was:

This is weird. I don’t like this band. Is this cheesy? How is this fun? Never eating that again. The instructor’s not my vibe. I don’t get the hype.

That snap judgment? That’s the bias—our tendency to dismiss something new before we’ve really experienced it.

And then…

you went back.

You brought friends.

You told people about it.

You consumed the content.

That’s when the bias flips. The same thing you resisted slowly pulls you in until, when it’s over, you realize you were part of something special. It became a core memory—a story you’ll retell to strangers and friends.

It happens all the time. It’s how we learn: from this feels uncomfortable to this is my jam.

You notice it more after 35, when self-awareness takes the driver’s seat.

Why call it a cult?

Because you’re not the only one learning this way.

Good news:

It’s normal.

Welcome to LIFE.