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Article created by: Justinas Keturka

Life is full of disappointments, both large and small. That doesn’t mean that life itself is all misery—quite the opposite. But it’s important to recognize that pain, failure, and dashed expectations are unavoidable parts of being a human being. Learning how to deal with them becomes a necessity.

Reddit user u/Just_Surround_2108 recently went viral after urging the r/AskReddit community to share the biggest things they were disappointed by when they grew up. Similar to how a child might feel when they learn that Santa Claus is not real. You’ll find their honest opinions, touching on everything from work to relationships and beyond, as you scroll down.

Oh, and just for the record—we fully believe that Santa is real. Anyone who tells you otherwise is probably working for the Grinch.

#1

Two people in a serious conversation, one wearing glasses and a coat, revealing harsh truths about adulthood realities. Bullies don't always get their comeuppance. In fact, sometimes they achieve great things. Even the presidency.

Floopydoopypoopy , Keira Burton Report

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    #2

    Woman stressed at workspace with laptop and notebooks, illustrating harsh truths of adult life and disappointment. Being a hard worker and good at your job doesn't necessarily mean that you'll be rewarded for it.

    DorianOrosco , energepic.com Report

    #3

    A pair of eyeglasses resting on top of stacked books, symbolizing the harsh truths of adult revelations. If you're intelligent, you have to be quiet because of people who are stupid.

    pepperheidi , Sincerely Media Report

    #4

    Antique balance scale and judge gavel on wooden surface with black legal books in background. Sometimes there is no justice.

    Fazi9090 , Sora Shimazaki Report

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    #5

    Group of people gathered around a beach bonfire at sunset, reflecting on adult truths and harsh realities. That some friends were never really your friend.

    Kangaroowrangler_02 , Kimson Doan Report

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    #6

    Old television discarded on the ground near a large dumpster, symbolizing harsh truths revealed in adult life. When both your parents die. I am in my mid 50’s and had my mom pass on Mother’s Day ‘22. My Dad then was living with us from then, and eventually reached in-home hospice status with a sudden stage IV cancer diagnosis. He died in January of this year, and then I got laid off from my tech job and was unemployed for 10 months. Nothing takes the wonderment and positive outlook from the world than having to empty out your childhood home solo and throw everything you grew up with into a big dumpster and are left to wonder what our lives really mean.

    i_spock , Darya Sannikova Report

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    #7

    Elderly woman smiling warmly, wearing a white and blue habit with a cross necklace, reflecting harsh truths revealed. Finding out the truth about Mother Teresa

    nynnat , JohnMathewSmith Report

    #8

    Two people in a counseling session, one holding a clipboard and pen, discussing harsh truths about adulthood. HR is NOT on your side.

    gregsmith0814 , Alex Green Report

    #9

    Person counting money at a desk with planner and pen, illustrating adult realities and harsh truths about finances. The money doesn't trickle down. It never did

    mein-shekel , Karolina Grabowska Report

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    #10

    Woman covering face with hands, expressing emotion that reflects harsh truths and adult realizations about Santa not being real. Finding out that someone you have looked up to and admired your entire life is actually a horrible person.

    Papooof4 , Dev Asangbam Report

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    #11

    Man walking up stairs in an urban setting symbolizing the harsh truths of adulthood and lost childhood beliefs. You never actually feel like the adult

    Personal-Listen-4941 , Nonsap Visuals Report

    #12

    Two people holding hands closely with one wearing an engagement ring symbolizing harsh truths in adulthood. Learning that two people can love each other more than anything in this world and still not be a good fit for a long term relationship. True and pure Love isn’t always enough

    anon , Nathan Dumlao Report

    #13

    Two elderly women engaged in a heartfelt conversation, sharing emotional truths about adulthood and life lessons. That time period when your relationship switches and your parent looks to you for answers and advice, instead them being the one with all the answers.

    Smile_Terrible , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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    #14

    Empty wooden church pews with sunlight streaming through columns, symbolizing harsh truths and adult realizations. Realizing organized religion is a bunch of nonsense

    jakoto0 , Guillaume Bleyer Report

    #15

    View from inside a car driving through a snowy forest road, illustrating harsh truths as an adult revelation. One dumb mistake and it could all be over.

    Raan6969 , Jaromír Kavan Report

    #16

    Person holding and fanning out multiple hundred-dollar bills while sitting cross-legged wearing jeans, illustrating harsh adult truths. The average salary does not go up equivalent to the inflation rate.

    Mattemattics117 Report

    #17

    Man holding flowers standing in a graveyard near tombstones, reflecting on harsh truths and adult realities. That the world doesn't stop when someone you love and need dies.

    thiccdaddyroadhog , Brett Sayles Report

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    #18

    Person wearing headphones working on a computer at sunset, reflecting on harsh truths about adult realities. When I was a kid I thought adults had everything figured out and couldn’t wait to grow up so I could be like them. HAH.

    Yoga_and_Cats , Simon Abrams Report

    #19

    Hand holding a raspberry flavour yogurt drink over a green shopping bag, capturing a personal adult moment experience. Recycling is, for the most part, a scam by corporations to move the physical and emotional weight of dealing with the harm their packaging causes off them and on to you.

    FidgitForgotHisL-P , Lisa Fotios Report

    #20

    Young woman lying down covering her face, conveying harsh truths and emotional stress of adult realizations. Working full time and being too drained to chase your actual dream

    Blind_Wolf , Ephraim Mayrena Report

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    #21

    Person standing inside a large church with stained glass windows, reflecting on adult truths like Santa isn’t real. Churches are businesses that collect tax free money and provide very few actual services with it.

    costabius , David Besh Report

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    #22

    A woman holding a notepad, engaged in a serious conversation, illustrating harsh truths of adulthood revealed. Discovering that you can pay 1700.00/mth rent, but can’t get a 1500/month mortgage

    bigyack , Ketut Subiyanto Report

    #23

    Hand holding several US hundred dollar bills, symbolizing harsh truths and adult realities about money and life. $500 isn't a lot of money

    ThingFromEarth , Jp Valery Report

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    #24

    Two elderly people sitting outdoors, reflecting on harsh truths and the adult version of being told Santa isn’t real. Finding out that your parents are people, too, with weaknesses or flaws that you were blind to when you were young.

    tamammothchuk , Christian Bowen Report

    #25

    Elderly person walking on a city sidewalk with a cane and shopping bag, illustrating adult harsh truths moments. For me it was realizing the high school mindset in people never ends see it in 60 yr olds in Facebook now

    Fluid_Program_5369 , David Sinclair Report

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    #26

    Open office workspace with people working on laptops, illustrating harsh truths in the adult version of realization. That going to college and getting a 9-5 wasn’t going to be the fun, creative, latte-filled experience rom coms would have you believe.

    Ok_Arm2201 , Alex Kotliarskyi Report

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    #27

    Victorian-style house with ornate wooden trim and a steep red roof under a clear blue sky with tree branches nearby. Finally owning a house, then realising you now have to go through the effort and expense of maintaining it. It's great you've got a house for 100k, now enjoy saving and spending at least half that to stop it crumbling, leaking or falling down over the next decades.

    judochop1 , https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-house-2194399/ Report

    #28

    Person washing a glass under running water in a kitchen sink, illustrating everyday adult responsibilities. When you finish eating your dinner and there is no magical person to wash the dishes and you have to wash them yourself.

    Party_Chemistry_8961 , cottonbro studio Report

    #29

    Decorated Christmas tree with red ornaments and lights, representing adult truths about the myth of Santa not being real. Christmas Bonuses almost NEVER exist. Worse fantasy than the clause...

    MysteriousMrSquatch , Irina Iriser Report

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    #30

    American flag waving at sunset, symbolizing the harsh truths revealed by adults like the disappointment of Santa not being real. Finding out that in the US it’s not really democrat vs republican, it’s the rich elites versus the rest of us.

    ReliefJaded8491 , Sawyer Sutton Report

    #31

    Colorful airtight food containers and fresh vegetables in a fridge representing adult truths and healthy choices When you buy an 8-piece tupperware set, 4 of the pieces are lids.

    throwmeawaypoopy , Ello Report