We’ve all been there—building castles in the air, imagining the perfect scenario, only to have reality show up with a wrecking ball. It’s not that expectations are bad; it’s just that people often forget to check in with reality before making grand promises. So, what’s the secret to happiness? Lowering expectations…but just a little. Here’s why.
The Birthday Surprise That Wasn’t:
Expectation: A grand celebration, balloons, cake, a surprise party where everyone yells “Happy birthday!” the moment you walk in. Maybe even a puppy.
Reality: A WhatsApp ‘HBD’ from your best friend, an auto-generated email from your dentist reminding you about your pending appointment, and a cake you bought yourself.
Solution? Expect nothing; then, even a slightly warm samosa feels like a Michelin-star dinner.
The New Year’s Resolution Trap:
Expectation: This is your year! Fitness goals will be crushed, productivity will soar, and you’ll finally learn French.
Reality: You pay for a gym membership, and you visit twice. ‘Bonjour’ is the only word you learn, and your biggest productivity hack is discovering how many naps one can take in a day.
Lesson? Aim for ‘drink more water’ instead of ‘run a marathon’, and success will follow.
The Instagram vs Real-Life Phenomenon:
Expectation: That influencer made a ‘quick and easy’ meal in five minutes with ingredients you can’t even pronounce. It looks perfect. You can do it too!
Reality: Your dish looks like a crime scene, takes two hours, and the only thing quick about it is how fast you order takeout afterward.
Adjustment: Expect that if it’s edible, you win.
The Relationship Fairy Tale:
Expectations: Romantic walks, breakfast in bed, deep conversations, and laughter that echoes through the night.
Reality: Arguments about where to order dinner from, their annoying habit of not putting the cap back on the toothpaste, and snoring that could wake the dead.
Pro tip: Lowering expectations turns “At least they don’t chew loudly” into a relationship milestone.
The Takeaway:
Lowering expectations does not mean giving up hope; it means giving reality a fighting chance. When you expect slightly less, life suddenly feels more generous. A parking spot near the entrance? Jackpot! A text reply within the same day? Unbelievable!
So, go forth and tweak those expectations – just enough to keep the surprise pleasant and disappointments humorous.
I am participating in the #BlogchatterA2Z, and this is my post for the theme, ‘Of Epiphanies & Eyerolls‘.
It really challenges the whole ‘don’t expect at all’ philosophy, doesn’t it? Expecting is only human — we can’t help it. But keeping our expectations low? That feels more practical and doable. “The birthday surprise” that wasn’t is such a relatable example.
Reduced expectations and a touch of gratitude for the good things we have can help us accept reality better and even enjoy it. Great post, Mayuri!
I agree with you completely. But somewhere, we realise that expecting everything mentioned above seemed normal, but at one point, you realise that maybe life is very different from what we had expected.
This was the best one from your series till now. The best lesson learned in the last some years and now it’s like ki fark painda! I don’t even have a bestie now. So I don’t expect receiving a HBD from my close circle. Only dear ones in my family, that’s it. No feast, no celebration, no gift, no outing, nothing special. Just another day.
I smiled at every use case. Your post highlighted the comparison between the ideal and reality. This raises the question of what we expect – from whom – and at what level! Thinking about it, we might reduce frustrations. I said, reduce, not eliminate it completely! Good post. Keep it going.
Already in love with your writing style and learning! Quick wit crisp and light! Way to go dear Mayuri
Your blog is a beacon of light in the often murky waters of online content. Your thoughtful analysis and insightful commentary never fail to leave a lasting impression. Keep up the amazing work!
the only thing quick about it is how fast you order takeout afterward
Oh I laughed so hard at that one
I don’t know if this was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, but this sounds perfect – “Lowering expectations does not mean giving up hope; it means giving reality a fighting chance”. I completely agree!