Navigating Disappointment

Behind every disappointment is a story we told ourselves about how things were supposed to be.

Disappointment happens when reality doesn’t match our hopes, but the impact goes far deeper than a missed goal or letdown moment. In this episode of In Session, we explore how disappointment shapes our emotions, relationships, and even our identity—and why it often feels heavier than it looks on the surface. We talk through the ways people get stuck in shame, avoidance, or rumination, and share therapist-informed strategies for naming, reframing, and actually grieving the losses tied to unmet expectations.

With honesty and personal reflection, we also open up about our own disappointments and how we’ve learned to work through them—reminding you that disappointment doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means you cared enough to hope.