Do you ever get the sense that something is not quite right or that something is getting in the way of you being the best version of yourself?
Some of us tend to be overly critical and harsh on ourselves. We feel guilt, shame, frustration, or sadness when we do not meet certain expectations. These expectations, whether from ourselves, others, childhood experiences, society, or an underlying sense of “I should…” are often not fact-checked and may be unrealistic.
Examples of common expectations we may hold include:
“I should not be feeling this way.”
“I need to be more capable and confident.”
"I should be able to manage my anger or anxiety.”
“I must know what’s 'wrong' with me.”
Maybe some of these thoughts and expectations resonate with you, or maybe you have your own expectations that are making you feel overwhelmed and unmotivated. What sort of expectations are you holding for yourself?
Here are three tips to consider if you are noticing yourself getting stuck in unhelpful expectations:
Reflect on where the expectation came from. We all receive countless messages about who we should be, how we should act, and what it means to be successful. Some of these messages may be true and helpful, but other messages are the opposite. Take the time to reflect for yourself where your expectations may have come from and if the message is something that you agree with.
How would you speak to a close friend? The thoughts that start appearing after not meeting an expectation tend to be negative and judgmental. If I were to guess, I would imagine that the words you may say to a friend in a comparable situation would be significantly more supportive and compassionate than the self-talk that comes up. When you catch yourself being harsh to yourself, take time to pause and consider what you may say to a friend. Are you able to give that same support to yourself?
Change the language Not all expectations or goals are bad, and in fact, they can be helpful and motivating to become the type of person you want to be. The issue arises when the goal may be unrealistic, the goal is incongruent with your values, or when critical self-talk appears when the goal is not met. Using exercise as an example, instead of saying “I should go to the gym”, it may be more helpful to say, “It would be a good idea to go to the gym,” or “I am going to go to the gym”. Using the word “should” sets up an expectation, which, for some people, can easily slide into negative self-judgment and lower self-esteem.
Self-compassion and managing our own expectations are two keys to living a personally meaningful life. In therapy, there is an opportunity to explore these topics and how it may relate to you. Let us help you start your journey towards self-acceptance and finding meaning.
McAtee Psychology Sunalta: 300-1933 10 AVE SW, Calgary, AB
McAtee Psychology Douglas Glen: 105- 11500 29 St SE, Calgary, AB
info@mcateepsychology.com | mcateepsychology.com
Phone: 403-902-2234
Peer and Self Assessment Some courses incorporate peer review and self-assessment as part of the evaluation process. Peer assessment involves students evaluating and providing feedback on each other's work, fostering collaboration, critical thinking, and communication skills. Self-assessment encourages students to reflect on their own learning, strengths, weaknesses, and progress.Assessment methods vary based on someone write my assignment objectives, content, teaching philosophy, and learning outcomes. Professors and teaching assistants may use a combination of these methods to provide a comprehensive evaluation of student performance and provide feedback for improvement
Thanks for sharing
Choosing online classes instead of physically classes is not a simple way to get an education. Online classes provide you more freedom, but you still need to work hard. In spite of the fact that online courses give numerous advantages to time-starved students, the freedom they give can frequently be overwhelming. Your success here depends on your ability to stay focused and on schedule. Maintaining a healthy work-study balance can be challenging. When time is limited, interest is lacking, or you are just not receiving the grades you want despite your best efforts, keeping up with your many online classes every few hours may be a source of stress. Since the global pandemic, online courses have become one of the…
Pay for online homework help and usefulness are used by scholars to follow up with stages. In various research, essays have shown that they tend to focus on how individuals feel and think about one another. Think about the differences between them. I'll take an online exam under the direction of a quality maker for my online courses to address student issues. However, it's intriguing that many students are unable to pay attention and attend class correctly. It wouldn't be fair to assist you in finding an assignment plan online. To succeed in your job, you must expand your skills and knowledge. I'll guide you through and let you know what to wear, however. Do you need any help with…