20 Memes That Perfectly Sum Up Expectations vs. Reality

By

Updated on 07/16/18

The older we get, the more we come to realize that reality doesn't always work out the way we think (or hope) it will. We might make lofty goals, especially around New Year's Eve when everyone collectively decides to make healthier choices in the coming year, or we might just have a vision of that perfect project in our minds that can never live up to our own self-made hype. That's just life! It has a tendency to shove your face in the sad truth of how things really are when we least expect it.

The "Expectations vs. Reality" meme perfect sums up how it feels when we think things are going to go a certain way, only to find out that no, everything is still hilariously awful. Read on for a healthy dose of reality that is guaranteed to make you laugh instead of cry.

01

of 20

New Year's Resolution

This "Expectations vs. Reality" meme perfect sums up how it feels when we think things are going to go a certain way, only to find out that no, everything is still hilariously awful.

02

of 20

Snowmen

Oops, you tried to go for a Frosty the Snowman vibe but ended up with snow carnage. Not all snow sculptures can be as cool as these.

03

of 20

Mermaid Hair

"And that's how I gave myself whiplash while trying to look sexy at the lake."

04

of 20

Fast Food

Are you really surprised that Burger King is behind this cooking fail? They're called BURGER King, not Hot Dog King. Let's lower those expectations.

Lower. Lower. Even lower. There you go.

05

of 20

Baking

"Okay, Kathy, this is an intervention. Put down the iPad and step away from the Pinterest page."

06

of 20

Travel

It's about time someone exposed the truth behind those "following my girlfriend around the world" pictures.

07

of 20

Sharing a Bath

Still a better option than showering together; one of you is always cold.

08

of 20

Pixie Cut

TRUTH. Those of us who are, shall we say, not exactly waifish, already know that cutting all our hair off and letting our bone structure do the talking is a horrible idea. Just awful.

09

of 20

Internet Shopping: Dress

Expectations vs Reality: Internet Shopping — Jesse Lynch

"Order a wedding dress online from China," they said. "It will be great!" They said.

10

of 20

Internet Shopping: Rug

Expectation vs Reality: Perspective — Reddit

He ordered an area rug and got a bath mat. Whoops! I think we've all had an internet shopping fail or two, but one thing is clear: It's nearly impossible for a rug this tiny to tie the room together.

11

of 20

Exiting a Pool

Models (and Phoebe Cates in Fast Times at Ridgemont High ) make looking sexy while climbing out of a swimming pool look so easy. This is much more realistic for the rest of us non-model types.

12

of 20

Swimming

This dog needs to get his Phelps Face on if he ever wants to be a serious competitor.

13

of 20

Doggo Cuddles

Between the dog shoving you out of bed and the cat sticking his butt in your face everytime you lie down, sleeping with your pets is anything but glamorous. We wouldn't have it any other way, though.

14

of 20