If we reach sub-$5,000 levels, it'll start looking like a bear market.
Now BTC is hovering at 8k levels which looks like its settling down and acting as its support level. With this, I'm interested to see if its going down to sub-5k levels then I would agree with you that the market has turned bearish!
I am not a huge expert but I watch Bitcoin's price every day and multiple times per day.
With Bitcoin I have noticed two types of volatility. 1) this is the type of volatility that makes me think it will go back up soon enough, and 2) this is a more drastic volatility that is packed with emotion and a heavy pulling feeling, like the price is truly going downhill.
More optimistic types of people begin to emerge with their optimistic comments when 2 is happening.
Good observation! If you follow the news more often, you will see Bitcoin whales coming out announcing their long term vision for BTC explicitly stating that they are indeed bullish in it!! Though sometimes I see it as beneficial to the crypto industry acting as a damage control cushioning BTC's downward trend in these past few days.