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94 “Expectations Vs. Reality Photos That Left People Underwhelmed And Overjoyed” (New Pics)
A piece of wisdom you’ve likely heard is not to expect too much to avoid disappointment, even heartbreak. Reality moves to its own beat and can either exceed those presumptions, if you’re lucky, or throw a monkey wrench on them.
Here are some visual examples of that constant battle between expectations and reality. Some of these photos feature surpassed expectations, which is always a joyful outcome. On the flip side, you will also see images that are likely to induce facepalms and chuckles.
These are some of the top posts from the Expectation vs. Reality subreddit. Enjoy scrolling!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Cake My Son Requested vs. What We Received
RELATED:
#2
The Brief My 8 Year Old Niece Gave Me For Her Birthday Cake And The Finished Cake
#3
Made My Niece's Birthday Cake (On The Right)
There is nothing wrong with having expectations. However, it becomes a problem when it affects how you run your life. Experts like author and health educator Dr. Elizabeth Scott refer to this as the “Expectations vs. Reality Trap,” which, among other things, can make us less grateful.
“When our expectations outpace reality, it often means we don't appreciate what we do have,” Dr. Scott explained in an article for Very Well Mind, noting that it may lead to comparisons, which is a known thief of joy.
#4
Otterly Impressive Birthday Cake From My Mom!
#5
The Way We Advertise Our Jack-O-Lantern Pizzas vs. The Way I Like To Make Them For Customers
#6
This Patch I Ordered Off Amazon
Dr. Scott brought up an important point: social media has become a catalyst for the significant stress brought on by unmet expectations. Many people tend to do this by comparing their worst days to someone’s best moments, all of which are the product of hard work and fumbling along the way.
“We may not even realize this mismatched comparison. This may be part of why those who spend more time on social media tend to be less happy,” Dr. Scott wrote.
#8
The Inspiration And How It Turned Out
On the topic of expectations and happiness, Yale University professor Robb Rutledge says it happens in the little daily moments, like when ordering a meal at a restaurant and bringing preconceived notions to the experience.
“You’re taking a risk there: Your meal could be better than you expected, or it could be worse than you expected,” Rutledge said in an interview with UC Berkley’s Greater Good Magazine.
#10
Ordered From Grocery Store. Cupcake 'Cake' For My Daughters Birthday. Pleasantly Surprised!
#11
The Birthday Cake My Wife Made For Our Daughter
#12
I Needed A Cartoon Cake And Only Gave This Picture For Inspiration. This Was The Final Product!
Others may flip the script and have low expectations to cushion the blow of potential disappointment. Rutledge says there is a downside to this mindset, as well.
As he explained, expecting things not to go well may lead to a lack of motivation to try new things or take risks. Rutledge noted, “It’s hard to grow as a person if you avoid any uncertain situation.”
#13
My Wife's McDonald's Cone In The Drive Through Last Night
#14
A Portion From The Lawsuit Suing Taco Bell For False Advertising
Apart from avoiding marketing comparisons, especially on social media, or considering what makes you happy, how can we manage our expectations? Dr. Scott shares one essential pro tip: practicing gratitude and emotional acceptance.
As she explained, doing the former makes a person feel more appreciative of what they have, while the latter is about taking negative emotions as they are, rather than suppressing them.
#16
Handsome
Brittania Kelli 1 hour ago
What do you expect people who sell their souls to $atan to look like?
#18
In Japan, One Should Expect To Get What One Expects
General Anaesthesia 1 hour ago
Japanese consumer protection: "Japanese law requires that advertisements, including packaging images, must accurately represent reality. Misleading representations are strictly prohibited under the Act Against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations (AUPMR), which is overseen by the Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA)."
#19
Merry Christmas Everyone!
#20
I Got This Ice Cream Bar From A 7 Eleven Store In Tokyo And It Was Exactly The Same As In Picture. Plus It Was Delicious!
Lukas (he/him, it/its) 3 hours ago
See my other comment- Japan has strict advertising laws and the food must look exactly (or very similar) to how it does on the package. If a cookie on the packaging has lots of chocolate chips, the cookies inside must have lots of chocolate chips.
#22
Birthday Cake I Asked For vs. What I Got
#23
What My Sister Asked For vs. What The Salon Did vs. What My Mom Did After The Salon Disaster
#25
My Mom Made This Duck Cake; Turned Out Pretty Well
#26
My Kid Cried
#28
I Feel Like Majority Of The Applebee’s Menu Is Expectationvsreality
#29
Guard Dog
#30
...squirrels
#31
American Cherry Pie Frapuccino In Japan
#34
Ordered A Cake For My Father’s Birthday
#35
The Crystal Mug My Boyfriend Ordered Me For Our Anniversary vs. What We Actually Received
#37
Expectation vs. Reality After A 6-Month Backorder From West Elm
#38
I Bought This Bob Ross Chia Pet . . . These Are Not Happy Trees
#40
Tried A Mirror Glaze
Betty Spaghetti 5 hours ago
That would have been a gourmet entree back in the days when Jell-O was considered classy
#41
Think My Wife Did Very Well On This One
#42
Ordered A Birthday Cake And Received Slop
Sally Moen 3 hours ago
It doesn't look like the character unless you use a specific frosting decorating tip
#43
I've Been Staring At This Cutie On Fb Marketplace For Weeks
#44
I Knew I Was Taking A Gamble Ordering From Wish.... But Still, I Couldnt Stop Laughing When My Blanket Finally Arrived!
#45
The Top Is Pottery That My Mom Got In Germany, The Bottom Is My Attempt To Make It In My Ceramics Class ://
#48
Halloween Treat Looks Like A Bad Trick
#50
I Think We Did A Pretty Decent Job With My Nieces Birthday Cake
#51
Guess I Won’t Be Reaping That Norway Scenery Karma
Daya Meyer 2 hours ago
The clouds look artificial to me in the original. I like the real picture. A rainy, moody and somehow depressing scene, but beautiful.
#52
Mom Ordered A Coat For Almost $60
#53
Husband Tried To Make A Dolphin For My Cocktail. It's The Cutest Eel I've Ever Seen
Multa Nocte 5 hours ago
"Do you know what that sound is, Highness? Those are the shrieking eels! If you don't believe me, just wait. They always grow louder when they're about to feed on human flesh! If you swim back now I promise no harm will come to you... I doubt you'll get such an offer from the eels."
#55
Thanks KFC, Totally What I Expected /S
Lukas (he/him, it/its) 3 hours ago
That top photo looks badly photoshopped, it's throwing me off (this post is from eight years ago, it's not AI)
#56
Bought Tickets To See Creed In Concert. Saw Creed In Concert!
Zig Zag Wanderer 26 minutes ago
Bought tickets to see AC/DC in concert. Saw a 74 year old guitarist with grey hair and a schoolboy uniform, a deaf Geordie who can't really sing any more, 3 session musicians (basically), and they needed 2 minutes between each song for a breather. It was fricking awesome! Angus is still 'the man' at 74. A living legend.
#57
These Things Never Work Out, Do They?
#58
I Paid 8 Dollars For This At The Cinemas
#59
Taking Pictures Of Your Pets. [oc]
Multa Nocte 5 hours ago
Oh come on. That pup is so cute it looks adorable with any little bit you get!
#61
Netflix
#62
Don't Think I'll Be Wearing My New Shirt To Work
#63
My Vacation In Rio And Seeing The Cristo
#64
Creepy
#65
Mildly Disappointed But Very Amused
#67
What I Ordered vs. What I Received
#68
Giant Teddy Bear
Lukas (he/him, it/its) 3 hours ago
I have one very similar! Yes, his legs are very long. I got him for my 17th birthday at the children's shelter and honestly I was scared he was going to m****r me in my sleep at first but now I love him and he's my best friend (I don't have many friends). He's also very space consuming when you're moving across state with all of your belongings, three different times
#70
What My Mother Ordered vs. What She Got
#72
Ordered A Champion Sweatshirt On Ebay. Received A Hanes Sweatshirt With A Champion Logo Glued On
#74
Tattoo Artist Ftw
#75
My Buddy Ordered A This Pillow For His Daughter
#76
Breakfast Jackpot
Sara Frazer 3 hours ago
But what if the package is telling the truth and two are boiled eggs, and one is, something else... 👀
#77
Close Enough
Multa Nocte 5 hours ago
That's pretty much how I would end up making mine (sigh . . . . . . . ).
#78
Amazon Prime Day
#80
These Sly, Sly Bastards
Zig Zag Wanderer 18 minutes ago
I have seen this in Italian motorway service stations. Avoid the packed sandwiches there! Get proper sandwiches (panini)
#82
I Ordered Bruschetta From My Local Pizza Shop
#86
Cinnamonroll Birthday Cake, What I Sent vs. What I Got…
#87
My Husband Warned Me His Gift For Me Wasn't Nearly As Nice As It Looked Online. I Cracked Up When I Opened It And Saw The Crystal Mug(S) So Many Have Been Duped By
#88
I Ordered Some Acoustic Sound Panels. And People Complain About Their Big Macs
#93
The Mask I Ordered (Left) vs. The Mask I Got (Right)
#94
I Travelled All This Way Because Of Reddit
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