Enough Expectations

Let’s talk about expectations. We have been living up to (or attempting to live up to) other people’s expectations of us our entire lives. It started as children when we we’re expected to learn how to listen and follow directions. And as we grew older we we’re expected to take care of our own basic needs, meet our employers’ demands and pay bills on time.

Many of those expectations throughout our life have been necessary in order to teach us how to survive on our own in this world. But once we’ve learned how to do that… we have to learn how to be in control of our decisions. We absolutely cannot spend our lives running around trying to please everyone else- doing and being what they expect of us. We Can Not.

At some point in our adult lives we have to mentally take control and tell ourselves “Enough. Stop.” One of my favorite quotes is from Bruce Lee who said, “I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations and you’re not in this world to live up to mine.” One of the quickest ways to happiness is to stop trying to do and be everything for everyone else and just be what we need to be for ourselves. Its okay to tell people, “No.” and it’s okay to set boundaries. The only person’s expectations we are required to live up to is our own- and even then sometimes we need to remind ourselves to be more gentle.

The first step to a life of happiness is figuring out what makes you happy. The second step is saying no to anything that doesn’t get you there. Let go of the expectations weighing you down and start being the version of yourself that you love.

The face of living up to others expectations is a face of anxiety and stress. Stop that shit.