How to respond when you are called a disappointment

When someone tells you that they’re disappointed in you it is important to assess if their expectations are reasonable. If you have a relationship with someone in your life is who manipulative, difficult and constantly looking for attention, then you will have a very different response then you would to someone who truly cares about you.

If the person who called you a disappointment has sound expectations and you didn’t live up to your obligations, you need to suck it up, own it, apologize and try to do better next time.

Don’t blindly accept negative feedback from people and accept it as the truth, always consider the source.  I once worked for a woman who was bat shit crazy, she would get all wound up about situations and give her staff horrendously negative feedback that was totally unwarranted. Her sorry ass was eventually fired from the company, I guess management finally figured out that she was a raving lunatic. Whenever she gave her staff negative feedback her staff just took it with a grain of salt.

If someone is trying to manipulate and guilt you by calling you a disappointment, use one of our clever comebacks and let them know you don’t accept their negative view of you.

15 Best comebacks when someone calls you a disappointment

1. Yep, I never miss an opportunity to disappoint.

2. Do not blame people for disappointing you, blame yourself for expecting too much.

3. I am alive, that is about the most you can expect from me today.

4. You do not just give guilt trips you run the travel agency.

5. Like father like son.

6. To be honest you’re a disappointing father/mother.

7. I wasn’t put on the planet to live up to your expectations.

8. What you think of me is irrelevant.

9. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

10. That is an incredibly hurtful thing to say.

11. It saddens me that you feel that way about me. I am doing the best I can right now.

12. I feel terrible that I did not meet your expectations of me. I would appreciate it if you could be patient while I try to improve.

13. I am really disappointed in myself as well. I thought that I would be doing better and be much farther along by now.

14. I am sorry. I am still trying to figure things out and it isn’t going very well at the moment.

15. I am doing the best I can right now and it is hard. Please be patient with me.

WANT TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK UP FOR YOURSELF?

Our FREE Starter Guide will show you the 3 simple steps you can take right now to stand up for yourself so that you can feel confident. It’s a game changer–get it free for a limited time!

Definition of a disappointing person

We’ve heard a lot of hurtful words in our lives, and being called disappointing must be one of the most heartbreaking. The term “disappointing person” is a subjective and negative description. Being a recipient of this label can hurt, especially if it’s coming from someone you respect or love.

Watching what you say is essential. We need to be respectful in approaching and interacting with people. Using negative labels can be harmful to their mental health and self-esteem.

Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. No one is perfect. If someone has disappointed us in some way, communicate it respectfully.

Tell them how you feel about them without using hurtful words. Instead of just saying words that have the potential to hurt them, help them out. You can help them work towards finding a solution.

How to deal with being called a disappointment

Everybody is trying their best, so being called a disappointment can hit harder than anyone expects. Take as much time as you need to process and deal with it healthily. Here are helpful ways to deal with being called a disappointment:

1. Listen to the feedback

Being called a disappointment can hurt a lot, but you can use this as your source of strength. Consider it as helpful feedback, no matter how hurt you are. Try to understand why they may have called you a ‘disappointment.’ This way, you know where to start when trying to be better.

2. Reflect on your behaviour if you are called a disappointment

Perhaps they may be talking about a specific time you disappointed them rather than your whole life. Take some time to reflect on your behaviour and actions. Are there times when you may have let someone down or not met their expectations? Identifying specific behaviors can help you work on changing them.

3. Communicate

Communication is vital in resolving whatever issue in any relationship. Tell them how you feel when they say things that affect you. If they have expressed disappointment in you, try to communicate with them rather than hiding and bottling these feelings. Confront them with respect and compassion. Ask them to be more specific in their feedback. This way, you know exactly what made them feel disappointed about you and assess if these are reasonable.

4. Seek support

If being called a disappointment is impacting your mental health, consider seeking help from a professional. A therapist or a counselor can provide you with comfort and assistance. They can help you sort these feelings and develop healthy mechanisms to sort them.

5. Focus on your strengths

If you also lack belief in yourself, you’ll likely feel even more flawed. You should know yourself better than anyone. You know your strengths and capabilities, and it’s healthy to focus on them and improve yourself. Celebrate yourself for doing your best.

Everyone is doing their best to live the best life they can. Nobody is perfect, and everybody makes mistakes. Be kinder to yourself and know it’s normal to fall short of expectations sometimes. 

Growth is growth, no matter how long you get there. Growing in life is not a race, and stumbling a bit here and there is not the end of it. It’s important to treat ourselves and others with respect and kindness. Work towards continuous self-improvement and enjoy the life you’re living.

The Role of counselling and self care

I Should Have Said Media will earn a commission after clicking links on this page at no additional cost to you. Learn more.

When you are dealing with being called a disappointment by others and you find it stressful, consider getting support from a professional. Talking to a counselor is a great way to work through a challenging situation, and help you find some strategies to work through the person’s behaviour.

Better Help is a great resource where you can talk to a counselor from the comfort of your own home. 

Taking care of your own needs isn’t selfish, and you will feel better in the long run.

What to say when someone is disappointed with you

More you might like

Famous people who have been called disappointing

Calling someone disappointing can really be hurtful. It’s best to refrain from using these types of terms in talking about someone. The celebrity world is portrayed as a “perfect” world with pretty things and pretty faces. But this world has its flaws too. Several famous people have faced criticism or disappointment from fans or critics. Here are some of them.

  1. Justin Bieber: With all cameras pointing at this pop star, he has faced criticism for his behaviour. These include legal issues and controversial remarks he said in paparazzi interactions and interviews.
  1. Miley Cyrus: There was a time where Miley had everyone hooked on her activities. The singer and actress have faced criticism for her provocative behaviour and controversial performances.
  1. Lindsay Lohan: The actress has faced criticism for her legal issues and struggles with addiction when she was younger.
  1. Tiger Woods: The professional golfer faced criticisms from fans for his infidelity. His infidelity had a significant impact on his marriage and career. These left his fan base disappointed.
  1. Lance Armstrong: The cyclist faced disappointment and criticism for his use of performance-enhancing drugs. He also has consistently denied these allegations only to reveal them true years later.

We all have our own lives to take care of and it’s good to recognize this. The world does not revolve around a single person. It would be healthy not to hyper fixate on your mistakes and work on improving what you can. It’s never helpful to label someone as “disappointing.” Treat all people with respect and kindness. You’ll find it rewarding rather than just judging someone and spreading negativity.

Got any comments, questions or tips for dealing with someone who calls you a disappointment? Share them in the comments below.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *