Life is full of surprises that aren’t always the kind we would wish for. What makes these unwanted surprises even harder to accept is our attachment to the way we expected things to go. This particular brand of discomfort — the kind fueled by a life drunk with expectations and the resulting crash from failing to meet them — is profoundly sobering and uncomfortable.

I call it an Expectation Hangover,® which I define in my latest book, “Expectation Hangover: Overcoming Disappointment in Work, Love and Life,” as: The myriad of undesirable feelings or thoughts present when one or a combination of the following things occurs:

• A desired outcome does not occur.
• A desired outcome does occur but does not produce the feelings or results we expected.
• Our personal or professional expectations are unmet by ourselves or another.
• An undesired, unexpected event occurs that is in conflict with what we wanted or planned.

The symptoms are similar, but far more miserable and lasting, to those caused by a hangover from alcohol: lethargy, depression, lack of motivation, confusion, denial, anger, poor work performance, diminished creativity, strained relationships, social withdrawal, low self-esteem, regret and spiritual disconnection.

But when our expectations are met, we are fulfilled. Often risking little, we feel safe, in control and on-track. Achieving our goals is intoxicating. We are compelled toward them, sometimes disregarding the underlying motivations that we feel a sense of accomplishment which comes from our ego. While striving for goals has value, holding expectations and attachment to the way life “should” go sets the stage for disappointment.

When Life Misses the Memo

Most of us don’t like it when our life seems to miss the memo on how we think things should be. But the truth is it doesn’t miss anything. When we keep fighting for what we think we want, never slowing down enough to actually learn the lesson that our expectation hangover is attempting to teach, we’re too drunk with expectations to notice when we are headed in the wrong direction.

The result? We continue to wake up with expectation hangovers.

So, how do you treat them? It takes a lot more than two aspirin, some greasy food and staying inside with the lights low. Because we don’t like not feeling good, and so we look for an external way to ease the discomfort: rebound relationships, abrupt career changes or miscalculated risks, and addictions (e.g., drinking, gambling, sex, drugs, work, shopping, etc.) are common. We lose faith and sink into the quicksand of victim-hood and hopelessness.

Instead of thinking about how to rid yourself of an expectation hangover, consider how you can leverage it. Ask, “What am I learning?” rather than “Why is this happening?” Keep your mind out of judgment, regret and shoulda-coulda-woulda thinking.

Think about some of the most inspirational people you know. I guarantee that part of what makes them so inspirational is how they leveraged their hangovers for growth and learning. Instead of perceiving something as a failure, they used what they learned to to create their next success.

Your expectation hangovers are gifts. Each one has been an opportunity to let go of something external that you have clung to for worth, safety or love. If you learn how to respond to expectation hangovers from the perspective of a student rather than a victim, I guarantee you will walk through doorways of transformation.

This article has been edited and condensed.

Christine Hassler, M.A. is author of the new book Expectation Hangover: Overcoming Disappointment in Work, Love, and Life, as well as the best-selling books 20 Something 20 Everything and The 20 Something Manifesto. She left her successful job as a Hollywood agent to pursue a life she could be passionate about. For over a decade she has been sharing her passion to ease suffering on the planet as a speaker, retreat facilitator and life coach. Christine believes once we get out of our own way, we can show up to make the meaningful impact we are here to make. Connect with @ChristinHassler on Twitter.

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