{"id":5610,"date":"2025-01-14T04:42:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T11:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/?p=5610"},"modified":"2024-11-15T09:17:42","modified_gmt":"2024-11-15T16:17:42","slug":"an-overachievers-thoughts-on-managing-expectations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2025\/01\/14\/an-overachievers-thoughts-on-managing-expectations\/","title":{"rendered":"An Overachiever&#8217;s Thoughts on Managing Expectations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ever feel like your own expectations are tripping you up? Let&#8217;s break them down, examine what really matters, and find freedom in embracing the season you&#8217;re in.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>&#8220;There is no expectation without explanation.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/substack.com\/@leahboden\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Leah Boden<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I have used this quote to improve my relationships with my kids, in homeschooling, and even in my marriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lately, I&#8217;ve been thinking about all of the expectations pressing in on us from our very busy overstimulating world. I believe I have found a new layer to this concept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have created a new motto for myself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p><strong>&#8220;There is no expectation without examination and practical application.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So what does this look like?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>When I&#8217;m expecting myself to keep certain standards in a specific area, I realize that needs to be looked at.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If I&#8217;m coming up against disappointment or negative self-talk then I look at what is causing this situation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Am I expecting a standard that does not fit the season that I am in?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Am I trying to do too many things at once?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Would I have those same standards for a friend given the same circumstances?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are these expectations kind?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.unsplash.com\/photo-1541362036326-097742faf412?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxtZXNzeSUyMGJvb2tzaGVsZnxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MjY4NjU4MDF8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.unsplash.com\/photo-1541362036326-097742faf412?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxtZXNzeSUyMGJvb2tzaGVsZnxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MjY4NjU4MDF8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080\" alt=\"assorted books on rack near glass window\" title=\"assorted books on rack near glass window\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"true\">JF Martin<\/a> on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\">Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Areas in my home that cause me constant frustration:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>keeping the kitchen floors clean<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>my bookshelves (there is so much stacking and shoving of books it quickly becomes a mess)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the schoolroom closet and all school supplies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>my linen closet<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>anywhere we store games or toys<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the pantry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>places where things get stacked by others in my family<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A quick example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My linen closet is my nemesis to my clean and organized plans. I am certain that when I moved into my first house as a newlywed that closet goblins snuck as secret roommates. They have been living with me my whole adult life&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I can promise you that I put sheets, towels, and blankets neatly into the closet clean and folded. However, the next time I open the door they have become jumbled, rummaged through, and tossed about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I get frustrated with it because it feels like more than a simple organization project. I feel like I have failed as a mom or homemaker. It feels heavy and overwhelming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>Does this resonate with you?<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It may take some reflection for me to uncover the layers behind what I am expecting from myself in different areas. It often has roots in fear, anxiety, or control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This is not fun to uncover but is extremely useful.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To get to those layers I need to have a conversation with a safe and compassionate friend. Some time in counseling, or I need to spend some time alone journaling and asking myself the question &#8220;why?&#8221;. Sometimes I need all three!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In peeling back those layers of unrealistic expectations, I find freedom. It allows me to move away from frustration and toward self-compassion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Recently on the podcast I discussed with Jalynne the power of empathy and self-compassion &#8211; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/open.substack.com\/pub\/embracinghome\/p\/ep-012-the-first-step-to-avoiding?r=1qjcbv&amp;utm_campaign=post&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;showWelcomeOnShare=true\"><strong>Ep. #012 The First Step to Avoiding Burnout &#8211; Defining Empathy w\/Jalynne<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>{Don\u2019t miss this helpful quick listen.}<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>When we examine our expectations and apply kindness, we create space for growth and grace in our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, let\u2019s release the pressure, embrace this season, and allow ourselves the freedom to live with intention\u2014not perfection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What self-inflicted expectations do you have in your life that constantly lead to disappointment?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I would love to hear from you! Put some heart emojis in the comments if this is something you are working on too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You are not alone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83e\ude75 &#8211; April<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ever feel like your own expectations are tripping you up? Let&#8217;s break them down, examine what really matters, and find freedom in embracing the season you&#8217;re in. &#8220;There is no expectation without explanation.&#8221; &#8211; Leah Boden I have used this quote to improve my relationships with my kids, in homeschooling, and even in my marriage.&hellip; <\/p>\n<div class=\"readmore-wrapper\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2025\/01\/14\/an-overachievers-thoughts-on-managing-expectations\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read <\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":5481,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_stc_notifier_status":"sent","_stc_notifier_sent_time":"2025-01-14 05:40:16","_stc_notifier_request":false,"_stc_notifier_prevent":false,"_stc_subscriber_keywords":"","_stc_subscriber_search_areas":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5,4],"tags":[105,20,29,47,610,30,25],"class_list":["post-5610","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home","category-mom-life","tag-expectations","tag-home","tag-homemaking","tag-mom-life","tag-new-years-resolutions","tag-productivity-for-moms","tag-routines"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5610","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5610"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5610\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5612,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5610\/revisions\/5612"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5481"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5610"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5610"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5610"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}