Happier with Gretchen Rubin A Little Happier: Do You Suffer from “Paris Syndrome?”
Dec 1, 2025
Explore how our expectations shape our happiness and disappointment. From empty-nest parents longing for constant communication to tourists hit by the realities of 'Paris syndrome,' the clash between what we hope for and what we experience can be striking. Adjusting expectations, not reality, may be the secret to emotional well-being. Learn how moderating our outlook can mitigate letdowns in various aspects of life.
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Expectations Shape Emotions
- Expectations shape our emotional responses to situations more than the situations themselves.
- Happiness often equals reality minus expectations, so changing expectations can change feelings.
Change Expectations To Boost Happiness
- Adjust expectations rather than just trying to change external reality to improve happiness.
- Lower or realign expectations to reduce the gap between reality and expectation and feel better.
Empty-Nest Communication Clash
- Empty-nest parents often misalign expectations about communication frequency with adult children.
- Two parents can experience the same behavior very differently depending on their prior expectations.