Expectations: The Mortal Enemy of Happiness

Posted on December 11, 2025 by mitchteemley
Expectations: The Enemy of Happiness

Expectations are the mortal enemy of happiness. The simplest solution, of course, is to lower our expectations of “how things will go.” But the far better solution is to banish them altogether. Banishing our presumptions is necessary for complete happiness. And it’s the prerequisite for even greater things. Things like: Discovery, wonder, and joy!

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About mitchteemley

Writer, Filmmaker, Humorist, Thinker-about-stuffer
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32 Responses to Expectations: The Mortal Enemy of Happiness

  1. Karima Hoisan says:
    December 11, 2025 at 12:02 pm

    I really enjoyed your thoughts Mitch…and nodded in agreement with you too:)

    Reply
  2. Caroll says:
    December 11, 2025 at 12:17 pm

    YES! This is such an important message, Mitch. It is said that all suffering stems from thwarted expectations. Releasing them allows God to work. His outcomes are so much better than what we can think up, we call them “Miracles” — which just means they were great outcomes that were not what we were EXPECTING!

    Reply
  3. mcalcagno says:
    December 11, 2025 at 12:38 pm

    Great post Mitch! If we replace expectations with gratitude we can find true Joy.

    Reply
  4. L.G. says:
    December 11, 2025 at 12:53 pm

    Yes, just do your best, your best even will look different some days, don’t be so hard on yourself.

    People getting rich off of raising others expectations, selling hope and hype, thank God for another day, hope in God.

    Great post

    Reply
  5. Norma says:
    December 11, 2025 at 1:08 pm

    Beautiful post! God bless you Mitch 🎁

    Reply
  6. Doree says:
    December 11, 2025 at 2:03 pm

    I am not sure it is in a human’s nature to hold no expectations, but I do believe in your message. Always working on it. 🙂

    Reply
  7. David says:
    December 11, 2025 at 2:25 pm

    It is hard not to have expectations, but I always find I enjoy things more when I am “in the moment” rather that comparing the moment to my expectation.

    Reply
  8. Nancy Homlitas says:
    December 11, 2025 at 2:27 pm

    Your thoughts on “expectations” are remarkably insightful and provoke thought. Thanks, Mitch. 🙂

    Reply
  9. daisy says:
    December 11, 2025 at 3:26 pm

    Beautifully said… letting go of expectations opens the door to pure joy and surprise. 🌟

    Reply
  10. K.L. Hale says:
    December 11, 2025 at 3:34 pm

    As always, wise words to live by! Mitch, you’re a treasure! Prayers and blessings, dear friend!

    Reply
  11. Rita Sommers-Flanagan says:
    December 11, 2025 at 3:48 pm

    Hey Mitch, interesting perspective. We’ve been working on a workbook to use with our happiness classes. Expectations (positive or negative) are definitely powerful, but I think sometimes, they provide an incentive to reach, do better, regroup….thanks for sharing this.

    Reply
    • mitchteemley says:
      December 11, 2025 at 5:24 pm

      I agree, Rita. I think it may be more a matter of semantics. I’d probably have called what you’re referring to as plans or goals. By “banishing” or surrenduring expectations, I’m thinking in terms of being able to appreciate the outcome, even when it doesn’t look the way I imagined it would–which, to some degree, will almost always be the case.

      Reply
  12. Carolina Mom says:
    December 11, 2025 at 6:18 pm

    True!

    Reply
  13. Chris says:
    December 11, 2025 at 9:59 pm

    Love the picture! This is a thought provoking post!

    Reply

  15. Pingback: Expectations: The Mortal Enemy of Happiness – QuietMomentsWithGod

  16. My Life in Our Father's World says:
    December 14, 2025 at 9:18 am

    Which is more desirable, happiness or joy?

    Reply

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