I know—disappointment might sound like just another form of being upset.
But to me, disappointment runs deeper—
It’s the heavy sigh that comes from once holding onto hope, putting in effort,
Only to realize I have to let go of those expectations in the end.
🟤 Sometimes, I express disappointment like this:
Staring at my phone without replying to messages
Saying “It’s nothing, forget it” and avoiding conversations
Zoning out while doing things, my eyes drifting aimlessly
Blaming myself: “It’s because I’m not good enough.”
Becoming numb to everything: “Whatever… no one will notice if I do more or less.”
➡️ It’s not that I’m lazy, or that I don’t care.
I’m just tired, disheartened, and don’t have the energy to explain anymore.
🟤 How can you help me?
✅ 1. Help me recognize: this feeling is 'disappointment', not 'failure'
You can say:
• “You're upset because you had expectations.”
• “You cared enough to try—that’s why you’re disappointed. It doesn’t mean you did something wrong.”
✅ Let me know: I feel down because I care, not because I’m incompetent.
✅ 2. When I say ‘it’s nothing’, please don’t let the conversation end there
Instead, stay by my side and gently say:
• “It’s okay if you don’t want to talk. I’d still like to sit with you and just sigh it out.”
• “I’m here—you don’t need to do anything.”
✅ Having someone who stays—even through my silence—helps me slowly rebuild strength.
✅ 3. Guide me to slowly open up
Don’t rush me. Just ask gentle, open-ended questions like:
• “What were you hoping for at the beginning?”
• “Which moment made you feel the most disheartened?”
• “Is there someone or something that could make you feel a bit better?”
✅ I don’t need to answer right away. What matters is: you’ve thrown me a safety rope,
So I can slowly find my way back.
🟤 When I start picking myself back up, please remember:
I might still be a bit fragile. Just because I seem okay doesn’t mean I’ve fully recovered.
From time to time, check in with me:
• “Have things been a little better lately?”
• “Do you feel like you’ve got a bit more energy now?”
✅ Disappointment may return—but because you stayed with me once,
I’ll always remember that someone believed in me.
• “Expressing disappointment doesn’t make you weak—it means you still have a heart.”
• “Silence doesn’t mean there’s no feeling—sometimes I just need rest before I can speak.”
• “Your willingness to be understood is already the first step to healing.”