I think that the word expectation itself has a negative connotation. At least for people my age. Expecting the best out of you takes a huge toll. Expecting the least says that you have low self esteem. There is no in between. It is indeed a huge pressure on teenagers and young adults to perform up-to the expectations of our parents, teachers, friends, society etc. But of course adults have an even more higher standard of expectations to reach. Bigger salary, bigger house, bigger car. Greed is another word. Can the expectation to reach higher be considered as a greed.? Or can expectation be considered as something which gives you an incentive or hope.? An optimist would choose the latter obviously. But all the chai in the world boils down to whether we can fulfil that expectation. My parents expectations to see me as a civil servant. My teachers expectation to see me put in more effort than I humanly can. My friends expectation to see me be all okay when they ditch me. But these aren’t the expectations that really matter, is it.? The expectations for the end of all the wars that is going on in the world. The expectation that all the toxic political leaders who are squeezing the world of their last hope to resign. The expectation that our world would last at least for a couple of centuries more. Expectations. It causes a sense of foreboding. A sense of anxiety. A sense of apprehension. Expectations are injurious to my health. My Chai is finally cold.