What To Expect When You're Expecting | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

What To Expect When You're Expecting

Life gets easier with less expectations.

14
What To Expect When You're Expecting
Flickr

There are two types of people in this world: people who’ve been let down at least once in their life and straight-up liars. Point is, we’ve all had someone in our life not meet the expectations we had of them. Sometimes, it’s the closest people in our life and when they don’t meet your expectations the resulting feeling sucks.

I know that in my life there have been times that I’ve felt pained that some people I trusted the most let me down. It’s heart-wrenching to be in a position like that and I realized that I tended to alienate myself from these people, leaving me feeling more alone than ever. If I couldn’t change anyone else, I reasoned, then I can change myself by keeping these people out of my life. It took me a long while to realize that feeling betrayed and alone is a lethal combination and the result is more detrimental to myself than anyone else.

The constant disappointment was tiring but the source of it all was the constant expectations I had of everyone, from family to close friends to strangers. I shouldn’t have to always expect that my friend will always pick up her phone, because she has a life of her own. I shouldn’t expect people who don’t even know me to instantaneously take a liking to me because they don’t know me very well, and even if they did maybe they just don’t understand. The fault is no longer on the other party but my own because I had decided to impose my expectations on someone else without even trying to understand if they want to have that role. Even if someone has stepped into a role, I didn’t ask them to sign any contract with the criteria all laid out because that’s just not how life works.

It isn’t easy to go from high expectations to no expectations at all and to say to someone that you don’t expect anything out of them can come off as derogatory to the other person. The truth is, it’s just easier that way because they are free to live their life and you are free to live yours. If someone’s actions strike a positive chord with you, then you can choose to keep them around in your life because they truly bring happiness in your life. If someone’s behavior makes you upset, then you can choose to have them sit out for some of the instances in your life but with no hard feelings or grudges.

Living without expectations is the most freeing feeling in the world, and I’ve only got a whiff of it once or twice because I’m not perfect. There are times where I still fall into the trap of expecting something and not getting what I want, but becoming more aware of this has helped me recover quickly from disappointments. The way I see it, we have a choice on this matter and if it makes me happier to expect less then that’s just what I’ll have to do. What’s meant to come will come and I’ll be around to face the consequences of it, whether good or

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
nothing on to-do list

Winter break is a cherished time for many after enduring a grueling fall semester. It’s a time of relaxation and time spent with loved ones over the holidays. However, once the new year rolls around, we’re all ready to go back to school. Here are thoughts every college student has during winter break.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Facts All People In A Large Family Can Confirm During The Holiday Season

The holiday season can be the best and most stressful time of the year, especially when more people are involved.

2595
kids jumping

The holidays are full of lights, sweets, sweaters, and your favorite movies. There's nothing quite like this period from the beginning of December through January. Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years. The fun of it all.

I don't know about you but with my large Italian family something is always going on during this season. It can be the most wonderful time of the year while also being the most hectic. These are a few things you know if your family is anything like mine during this time.

Keep Reading...Show less
10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over
reference.com

To those who celebrate, you just spent an entire day cooking an elaborate meal with all of your favorite foods. You probably ate your body weight in pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. What happens now? Oh yea, Christmas. It’s time to take out all of the decorations and Christmas themed things that have been sitting in the attic since last year; it’s time to make a reappearance. So, here are 10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

5259
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

3258
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments