Disappointment is the feeling of dissatisfaction that follows the failure of expectations or hopes to manifest. Similar to regret, it differs in that a person who feels regret focuses primarily on the personal choices that contributed to a poor outcome, while a person feeling disappointment focuses on the outcome itself.[1] It is a source of psychological stress.[2] The study of disappointment—its causes, impact, and the degree to which individual decisions are motivated by a desire to avoid it—is a focus in the field of decision analysis,[1][3] as disappointment is, along with regret, one of two primary emotions involved in decision-making.[4]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappointment
Just in time for Christmas
What better time than now to discuss one of the most important and overlooked aspects of human reality: Disappointment. How we relate to this experience has profound effects on how we live. For many people I know, this is an uncomfortable feeling.
We have choices
We can neurotically do everything we can to avoid this discomfort. We become aware of how this discomfort impacts our decision making. Eventually we can learn how to become comfortable with this discomfort – the discomfort of disappointment and become free to take risks, play in the moment and live with the consequences.
What’s your relationship with disappointment?
How does your relationship with your own disappointment, or the disappointment of others impact your decision making at this time of year? What would you like to do differently?
Listen below for my musings on disappointment.
Gestalt Nova Scotia 