Unrealistic Expectations (Weekly Recovery Reflection)
Peace begins when we stop demanding life, others, or ourselves to be more than they are right now.
Quote
“Peace lives in the space between what I wanted and what is.” — Damon Frank
My Thoughts
Unrealistic expectations are often invisible until they break our peace. We picture how others should behave, how recovery should feel, or how quickly we should heal. When reality doesn’t match the script in our minds, frustration and disappointment follow. But these feelings aren’t signs of failure — they’re invitations to come home to the truth: life is unfolding exactly as it needs to.
In recovery, learning to see and soften our expectations is an act of maturity and grace. It doesn’t mean giving up on goals or accountability; it means releasing the fantasy that things must unfold on our timeline or in our preferred way. True serenity grows when we trade control for acceptance, judgment for compassion, and pressure for presence.
Action for the Week
Notice one place in your life where expectations are creating tension — maybe in your relationships, your healing process, or your daily routine. Ask yourself: “What would acceptance look like here?”
Write or meditate on the difference between what you can influence and what you can’t. This simple awareness can transform pressure into peace.