Dealing with Disappointment: Understanding Triggers and Finding New Paths

Disappointment is one of those emotions we all encounter, and it can hit hard—especially when things don’t go the way we expect. Whether it’s waiting for results that never seem to come, or feeling let down by situations or people, disappointment has a way of sneaking up on us. And when it does, it can easily trigger unhealthy habits like overeating or drinking to cope.

In this article, I’ll explore why we feel disappointment, what it’s trying to tell us, and how to find healthier ways to deal with it—so you don’t fall into those old habits of using alcohol or food to escape.

Why Do We Feel Disappointed?

At its core, disappointment happens when our reality doesn’t match our expectations. We set goals, make plans, and picture outcomes, but when things don’t unfold as we imagined, disappointment hits. A common source of this feeling is having rigid...