What Can You Learn From Disappointment?

Sometimes things just don’t work out how you expected them to, or how you wanted them to. Even this blog post can be used as an example. I originally planned on writing something inspirational, well worded and insightful. Needless to say I simply didn’t have the words when I attempted to write that post two weekends ago. Actually, no part of that weekend really worked out in any way shape or form how I thought it would. What was supposed to be a memorable summer weekend away from the city got tangled up by a whole mess of swollen tonsils, cold cloths and more naps than I can count. When circumstances just really suck, and there's no way of seeing otherwise, you have to just learn to deal with the disappointment. I understand that being bed ridden for what would have been a rowdy August long weekend isn’t exactly the biggest disappointment but it got me thinking. Every little thing we experience in this life should be treated as a learning experience because it may seem tough now, but something worse could always be lurking.

Eek! How ominous of me. I hope none of you think I’m suddenly attempting to elevate this blog into something dangerously serious. I just thought, we can talk about fashion and beauty but also about more abstract ideas, ideas that we can’t touch. 

What I’ve learnt from my most recent bout of disappointment is how greatly I take advantage of trivial things. Something like the ability to swallow seems so insignificant day to day, but when it’s taken away a new perspective is dawned. Are you able to eat solid food? If so, take advantage of it. When your only thrill stems from the thought of making the trek to a different floor of your house, you begin to appreciate everything that you hadn’t before. 

Of course not all disappointment stems from illness. A missed opportunity, a bad grade or even a breakup all present us with the choice of whether to be bitter or to look for the lesson. It’s quite a simple concept, yet immeasurably difficult to apply to one’s life. Why is it negative thoughts come more easily to the mind than the positive? Well, that’s a whole other argument. For now I want you to promise yourself that the next time you’re faced with disappointment you’ll approach it as a life long learner. Find the hidden meanings, the silver linings, and the reasons to be grateful for what you have.

Thanks for reading.

-Emily