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Life is full of unexpected moments that can throw us off balance, and our expectations play a significant role in how we respond to them. 

It’s important to understand the role of expectations in finding true happiness and fulfillment in our lives and in our relationships with our kids. 

Expectations are biased and often rooted in our desires and wants, creating our unique view or perspective of a situation.

While we all naturally have expectations, it’s also crucial to acknowledge that they are merely one perspective out of many. 

There are so many different ways to view a situation. Everyone has their opinion, thought process, and interpretation of events. 

Our expectations can make us see things with only one lens. This can affect how we treat other people and even our kids. 

Therefore, taking time to become aware of our biases is important to creating ease and flow in life’s unexpected moments.

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Girls painting with aprons - unexpected moments

Expectations and Unexpected Moments

Expectations are a natural part of life. We have them for ourselves, our relationships, and our environment. They help us navigate the world, set goals, and achieve our dreams.

Expectations stem from our desires, needs, and wants, and they create a particular prism through which we view situations. 

We often judge ourselves for our expectations, thinking we’re asking for too much or wishing for too much. But we get to acknowledge and express our wants and needs unapologetically! 

Being in touch with our desires helps us understand our expectations, and we can give ourselves and others more grace as we navigate the challenging moments. 

Be Aware Of Our Expectations 

The first step in managing expectations is to be aware of them. 

What are our expectations for a situation? Are they realistic or idealistic? Are they based on past experiences or assumptions? 

Once we’ve identified them, we can evaluate them and adjust, if necessary. 

By acknowledging this, you can prepare yourself for any unexpected changes or challenges that may arise.

For instance, let’s consider booking a flight. When we book a flight, we expect that it will take off on time, board on time, and land safely at our destination. 

These expectations are reasonable and natural! But things may not always go as planned. Flights can be delayed or canceled. 

If we acknowledge that unexpected things happen all the time, we can approach the situation with more awareness. 

A mom kneeling in a bathroom wrapping a white towel around a child

Communicate Our Expectations 

Communicating our expectations helps us and others know what we want. 

Whether it’s with a partner, friend, or our kids, letting others know what you expect can prevent misunderstandings and conflicts. 

Be open and honest about your needs and desires, but also be willing to compromise and adapt to different situations.

It’s also important to remember that not everything is under our control. 

We can plan and prepare as much as we want, but there will always be factors outside of our control that can impact the outcome of a situation. 

While this may be the case, we all have the choice to choose how to respond in the circumstances. 

Recognizing that things come up unexpectedly and are a natural part of life means we get to practice adapting every day. We learn and grow from our mistakes, and they often lead us to new opportunities and experiences. 

Instead of viewing unexpected events as something to avoid, try to see them as opportunities for growth and a perspective shift. 

Practice Mindfulness During Unexpected Moments

The way we respond to unexpected situations affects our mental and emotional well-being. 

It can be stressful when things don’t go as planned, which can impact our overall happiness and fulfillment. 

By hitting the reset button and approaching unexpected situations with more awareness and mindfulness, we can step into flow. 

One way to take a breath and look around is to practice mindfulness. 

This practice allows us to be present in the moment, notice our thoughts and feelings, and respond with intention rather than reacting impulsively. 

Practicing being present helps us approach unexpected situations with more awareness and calmness.

We can also adjust our expectations by preparing ourselves for the possibility of unexpected situations and being open to different perspectives and outcomes. 

This approach allows us to respond to unexpected moments and situations with more flexibility and adaptability.

Practicing mindfulness and staying present can help us manage expectations in the moment. 

When we’re fully present, we can observe our thoughts and emotions without judgment or attachment. 

This can help us avoid getting caught up in our expectations and stay open to different outcomes.

Kids playing with toys on the floor of a daycare

Conclusion 

Life is full of unexpected moments! 

Our views play a significant role in how we respond to these moments. 

While we all have expectations, it’s also important to remember we get to choose how we respond to the things that happen around us. 

We can be present by practicing mindfulness which allows ease and flow to expand. 

This helps us approach unexpected situations with more awareness, flexibility, and adaptability, increasing our overall happiness and fulfillment in life.

Managing expectations is a crucial part of living a fulfilling life. While expectations can be helpful, they can also lead to disappointment and stress. 

It starts with being aware of our expectations, communicating them clearly, and accepting the unexpected. 

Then we can recognize setbacks as opportunities for growth and practice mindfulness to reduce stress, stay present, and enjoy life to the fullest.