Disappointment really sucks, doesn’t it?

Although it’s a natural and very unavoidable part of life, it still hurts when it happens, and it can be difficult to cope with.

It’s so easy to feel discouraged and defeated when we’re faced with disappointment, but it’s how we deal afterward that makes all the difference.

If you’ve just come face to face with disappointment, here are some of my best tips for moving forward.

Acknowledge and experience your feelings.

One of the best ways to deal with disappointment–or any difficult situation for that matter–is to allow yourself to feel your feelings.

You’re entitled to feel how you feel, and it’s important to recognize what those feelings are. Whether you’re angry, sad, or discouraged, name it, sit with it, and reflect on why you’re feeling that way.

Of course, disappointment ranges in severity, from momentary, forgettable disappointments (like your favorite ice cream being out of stock at the grocery store) to what can seem like devastating setbacks (like being passed over for your dream job). So if you need to cry, let the tears rise to the surface. If you need to let out all that pent up frustration, hit the gym or punch a pillow.

Acknowledging your feelings is one of the healthiest things you can do to move on.  

Accept the situation.

Yep, you were disappointed. And yes, you probably wish you weren’t.

It might take a while for you to process the situation, and that is 100% okay. Don’t put pressure on yourself to get over it, and don’t judge yourself for taking the time to digest what happened.

However, there is major power to be found in acceptance. At the most basic level, acceptance is acknowledging reality and relinquishing control of a situation that is out of your hands. 

Trust me, I know how hard it can be to reach acceptance after disappointment. By doing so, it may feel like you’re giving up or that you’re telling yourself that you’re okay with what happened. But that’s not actually what you’re doing. Acceptance can help you make peace with the disappointment while empowering you to move forward with clarity.

Recognize the positives.

Even though disappointment can feel truly devastating in the moment, there is always a bright side, no matter the situation.

Sure, it might be hard to spot at first, but when you’re able to find the light peaking through the clouds, it changes your perspective.

Maybe that disappointment happened because there’s something better waiting for you to claim. Maybe that disappointment happened because you weren’t prepared to receive the outcome you wanted yet. (If you believe in a little thing called divine timing, you know exactly what I’m talking about)

And if you’re just so mad and upset that you’re really not able to see the upside, reflect on your life and recognize everything you have to be grateful for. I guarantee that you’ll find a lot when you start looking.

As an added bonus, when you start practicing gratitude, you’re training your brain to see the good in life, which means you’ll naturally be able to see more of it every day, and isn’t that a wonderful way to experience the world?

Spend time doing what you love.

Having hobbies and projects that light you up inside is super important when it comes to living a full and satisfying life. They are an important tool that can help get you through the bad times.

After being disappointed, doing something you love gets those feel-good hormones pumping in your brain and gives your mind a break.

Whether you love cooking or painting, crafting or reading, doing something you love can also help you feel productive and provide you with a sense of control at a time when you feel like you don’t have control over anything. 

Take the time to fill your cup. Your mind and body will thank you for it.
Disappointment is a natural part of life, but instead of getting consumed by it and letting it keep you down, there are plenty of ways we can cope with the hurt and come out stronger on the other side.