The author reflects on their aversion to disappointment, admitting it feels worse than other negative emotions like grief and envy. They articulate the physical discomfort and emotional resistance associated with disappointment, noting that avoidance can stifle personal growth and the willingness to embrace new experiences. Through therapy and personal exploration, they conclude that embracing disappointment is essential for learning and discovering what truly matters in life. Lowering expectations to avoid disappointment is seen as detrimental, and facing disappointment is reframed as an important aspect of a fulfilling life.
"Disappointment, as detestable as it is, is absolutely vital. Counterintuitive as it sounds, I think a better life is one with more disappointment in it."
"If we are too afraid of this feeling, we will remain stuck where we are, unable even to step outside the front door."
"Allowing this feeling in and listening to it is crucial for learning from experience and working out what is truly important to us."
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