Blessed is the man who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.

Expecting nothing is a reliable shield against disappointment, and it is easy to see why it gets called a blessing. There is truth in it: lower expectations reduce resentment, and plenty of misery comes from outcomes falling short of a picture. But expecting nothing at all also removes hope, effort and the willingness to ask for what you are owed.

A middle path is to hold hopes without treating them as entitlements. Notice where you felt let down recently, and ask whether the expectation was fair or simply assumed. Keep the reasonable ones, and loosen your grip on the rest.