Our Expectation Blurs Our Reality
Our Expectation Blurs Our Reality
Your expectations are your imaginations or fantasies. It is this preconceived perception of what should happen. However, when our expectations exceed our reality, we feel unfilled, developing resentment, low-self-esteem, and stress.
Expectations Exceed Our Reality/ Technology
Have you ever taken up a brochure for a vacation? The turquoise waters, the clear blue sky, and the white sands are just inviting! We fantasize about bathing in this image. However, when you reach your destination, it looks nothing like what is on the brochure! Your reality meets your fantasy, and you are disappointed. Technology adds to our expectations. Images are photo shopped and filtered to give us this perfect picture and we create that expectation which cannot be lived up to because reality cannot offer those perfect images. Expect Nothing from You
Some point in your life, you might have said this before after doing something wrong, “I should know better.” If we have high expectations of ourselves and when they are not met, we are disappointed. Do not hope or believe to achieve something, but set goals or aims to achieve the desired outcome.
Expect Nothing from Others
Are you waiting for a phone call from your friend? Do you expect your child to be respectful towards you? When they do not do what you expect of them, you feel disappointed. We are all humans and sometimes we forget to do things or even we change our minds from what we initially planned to do. When we do not have any expectations from others then there will be no room for anger or unhappiness. Do not expect people reciprocate kindness when we have shown them. Don’t expect kids to come back and take care of you when you get older. You are setting yourself up for disappointment.
Setting High Expectations for Our Kids
We want our children to be the best. So we tell them they are one of a kind. We tell them that they can be the next president, the next lawyer, or the next greatest singer. What we are creating is a road of disappointment for them when they do not live up to these expectations. We should encourage them, not creating delusions for them. They can develop low self –esteem, having a feeling of worthlessness, thus robbing them of their unhappiness. Parents and caregivers should set realistic goals for children so that when face difficulties in life they are well equipped.
How Can we Change This?
Build Awareness.
We have to change the way we think. We need to realize that posts on social media are not real. We compare our not best looking self to someone’s best pictures.
Live in the present moment. Take the necessary steps to work on what you can do in the present and not to have wishful thinking.
Be non-judgemental
Our Expectation Blurs Our Reality
