Expectations are things you want to achieve, or things you believe life should grant you. Society and institutions, have a habit of placing expectations on us.

Placing Expectations

When we’re small, institutions like school expect great things. Children are expected to do well, and questions asked if they don’t. As parents we also place expectations on our children so they will grow up to be model adults, for them to do well and the cycle continues.

There are no expectations on those who deal with mental health issues, or a severe disability. Generally, when it comes to our own expectations, we have hope, hope that we can achieve what we set out to achieve.

Expectations and Disillusionment

If that doesn’t happen, we may have disillusionment. Expectations are placed on us from an early age, as we continue to live with those unconscious expectations.

Although expectations are with us from an early age, we tend not to think about them. Most of the time we’re just living our lives, and forget we have expectations placed on us. Expectations also depend on culture, and environment.

I was expected to get married and have children. A career was never discussed. When it came to school, it wasn't on 'the list of priorities'. Where it was clear I was struggling in the early years, that soon changed to, ‘oh it’s just Ilana’.