Great Expectations

What do you imagine would happen to your relationships if you let go of all your expectations?

Image: couple at a table, one is staring at their phone screen while the other talks

What do you imagine would happen to your relationships if you let go of all your expectations? Not just your expectations of your partner, but of your friends and families too? What purpose do you imagine the expectations you have of them serve? Do you imagine you use them to protect yourself, to make sure you are respected, cared for, not ‘taken advantage of’? What are some of the expectations you have of others that you imagine you would find really hard to let go of?

“I expect you to treat me with some respect. Look at me when I’m talking!”

“I expect some consideration. Just pick up the phone once in a while.”

“I expect you to care about my feelings.”

“I expect to be consulted before you make decisions that affect me.”

“I expect you to answer my texts with more than just a smiley-face.”

“I expect you to treat us all fairly and equally.”

If these are some of your expectations (or ones you’ve been subject to) how do you feel in your body as you hear the words “I expect you to…”?