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Who Will You Disappoint Today?

Are you ready to be the world’s biggest disappointment? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there, staring at our failed attempts, wondering how we could have possibly messed up so spectacularly. But fear not, for disappointment is a badge of honour, a testament to our unique ability to screw things up in spectacular fashion.

Here’s a quick guide to becoming the world’s most disappointing person:

Set unrealistic expectations: This is the first step to epic disappointment. Aim for the stars, and then compromise on quality actions.

Procrastinate: Put off everything until the last minute. Trust, it’s a guaranteed recipe for disaster.

Ignore advice: Who needs experts anyway? Live with superiority complex of knowing it all and watch the chaos unfold.

Overestimate your abilities: Think you can do it all at the same time? Go ahead, try it.

Underestimate the power of Murphy’s Law: Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. And it will probably happen at the worst possible time.

Be absent: Being present will only make you responsible, so it’s best to take the escape route and avoid taking accountability for your actions.

Remember, disappointment is a journey, not a destination. So, embrace the fall, laugh at your mistakes, and keep trying. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll actually accomplish something… or not.

Now go forth and disappoint the world!

Embrace the Genius Mode!

Disappointment. Just the word makes your skin crawl, doesn’t it? For many, it’s right up there with root canals, stepping on Legos, or realizing there’s no Wi-Fi. Yet, let’s face it—there’s one thing every adult has to master: the art of disappointment. Not being disappointed, but doing the disappointing. After all, you can’t be everyone’s cup of chai, coffee, or green smoothie.

In today’s world, we’re all gladiators, fighting in the arena of expectations. Parents expect you to be successful, friends expect you to always attend every event, bosses expect you to be on-call 24/7, and your fitness tracker expects you to hit 10,000 steps every day (how dare you only manage 9,999, you lazy creature!). The pressure is unreal. So, I ask you the all-important question: Who are you ready to disappoint?

Let’s start with the big one—your parents. They gave you life, raised you, and probably have a five-year plan for you they expect you to follow religiously. “Be a doctor, beta.” Or, “Work for Google.” Or worse, “Marry a nice, sensible partner by 28. Children by 30. Golden retriever by 32.” The whole deal.

Well, guess what? It’s time to disappoint them. Don’t worry, they’ll be fine (probably). If you choose to start your own pottery business instead of becoming a neurosurgeon, will they love it? Maybe not. But that’s okay. Somewhere between their expectations and your actual interests lies the beautiful chaos of adulthood. And besides, disappointing them early prepares them for greater future shocks. Start small, like with an off-beat schedule, or a mildly rebellious haircut.

Ah, the workplace. A delightful maze of corporate jargon, unrealistic deadlines, and emails that begin with “Per my last email…” The modern worker is expected to live, breathe, and occasionally even dream about work. If you’re not replying to emails at 2 AM, are you even working?

But here’s a revolutionary idea: disappoint your boss. Not always, of course—paychecks are still important. But sometimes, the world doesn’t end if you don’t work overtime. Sometimes, that spreadsheet can wait. “But what if they think less of me?” you ask, clutching your cup of coffee like it’s a life raft. Here’s the kicker—they probably already do. And that’s okay! Prioritize your mental health, your family, or—heaven forbid—yourself. Be the maverick who says, “I’ll get this done tomorrow, without sacrificing my sanity.”

Yes, your friends. The ones who expect you to attend every birthday, every brunch, and every spontaneous ‘let’s-go-clubbing-at-midnight’ text. But let’s be honest: half the time, you’d rather watch Netflix in your pyjamas with a bowl of chips than go to another “networking event.”

So, what if you disappoint them once in a while? It’s called self-care, and you deserve it. Plus, true friends won’t mind (and if they do, congratulations! You’ve successfully weeded out the high-maintenance ones). Next time they guilt you with, “But we haven’t seen you in forever,” simply shrug and respond, “That’s because I’ve been hanging out with the coolest person I know—myself.”

Society is a nosy neighbour. It wants to know when you’re getting graduated, when are you getting married, when you’re having kids, and when you’re finally going to “settle down”—whatever that means. Newsflash: society is never satisfied. It’s like that one aunt who always asks, “When are you going to do [insert thing you have absolutely no interest in doing]?”

Disappoint them. In fact, make disappointing society your full-time job. Let them think you’re a rebel, an eccentric, or—gasp—a free spirit! Society has a terrible habit of setting arbitrary milestones that no one asked for, and you’re under no obligation to meet any of them. Skip the white picket fence. Go live on a boat, start a vlog, or become a part-time llama farmer. Society can clutch its pearls all it wants.

Here’s the kicker—at the end of the day, the person you most need to disappoint is yourself. Specifically, your inner perfectionist. You know, the one who insists you be flawless, adored by all, and endlessly productive. The one that freaks out when things aren’t Instagram-perfect.

Give that perfectionist a swift kick to the curb. Perfection is exhausting, boring, and—most importantly—impossible. Let yourself be mediocre sometimes. Order takeout instead of cooking a three-course meal. Submit that work project knowing it’s good enough, rather than striving for unattainable brilliance. Learn the liberating power of the word “No”—and practice saying it to yourself.

In life, we must all learn the fine art of disappointment. Not because we enjoy watching others squirm (though let’s be honest, sometimes it’s funny), but because you cannot please everyone. Heck, you can’t even please yourself all the time.

So, who are you ready to disappoint today? Your boss, your parents, your friends, or that nagging voice inside your head? Pick someone, lean into it, and embrace the glorious freedom that comes with lowering expectations—especially your own.

Remember, being a disappointer may sound like being rebellious for no cause, but that is far from the truth. We need to be discerning when to disappoint and when to obey. Be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to mould you into being someone you are not. When you know you are standing up for what is right, at times you will have to confront the nay-sayers, confront the status quo, and confront your family and friends but that does not make you a bad person. However, something to be mindful is be kind and civil in your dealings.

We were never built to be perfect. We are on a journey to learn and grow. So, be humble enough to acknowledge that you will always be a work in progress. That there will always be something for you to learn and understand. So, without any guilt- be you. In a world of overachievers, be the magnificent underachiever you were always meant to be. “Being yourself,” is the underlying statement, that reveals your true confidence, as well as conveys a powerful message that you don’t engage yourself in unhealthy competition.

So, disappoint wisely and enjoy the ride.

Aditi Maheshwari
Aditi Maheshwarihttp://www.snowhiteaditi.com/
I am Aditi Maheshwari, a freelance writer, I have been a student of Economics, Advertising, Marketing, Psychology and also of the Institute Of Company Secretaries Of India. I am also the author of "Walking the Rainbow of Life!" Currently, I am a blogger at The Times of India and contributing writer to Womansera Magazine. I have contributed articles to other respectable publications too like Amazonswatchmagazine, YEET Magazine, and Education World Magazine, etc.

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