Navigating Emotions Part 2: Disappointment

The first emotion we will unpack together is Disappointment.

According to the Webster's Dictionary, disappointment is "the emotional state of sadness or frustration that arises when hopes or desires are not fulfilled". For example, you told your significant other you would like to go out for your anniversary, but they makes plans with friends instead. In this situation, you would feel disappointment because you wanted to go out for your anniversary, but that did not happen. You may feel anger, sadness, or even frustration, but all of these result from you feeling disappointed.

Disappointment is a rather complex emotion. It is a negative feeling that actually first derived from a positive one. You were expecting a reaction from someone. You were aspiring to be someone. You were excited about a potential outcome. The result, however, is not what you were anticipating. Disappointment can be felt in a variety of different ways. You didn’t get the job promotion. Your friend didn’t have your back in a dispute. Your idea got turned down at work. You got sick the day before the vacation. The key to naming this emotion is to pause, and take a moment to reflect on why you are feeling this way. By doing this small task initially, you will be able to avoid more conflicts and express your expectations more clearly.

It is important to note that disappointment comes from one thing, an expectation. If we can learn to manage our expectations better, then we will feel less disappointment when plans fall through.

This emotion can be described as a minor inconvenience or a whirring storm of hurt. It can also be the catalyst to anger, hurt, and sadness. All of which we will cover in the following blog posts in this series.