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The Updated Perpetual Disappointments Diary for Those Not Looking for Encouragement

12.04.18 | By
The Updated Perpetual Disappointments Diary for Those Not Looking for Encouragement

Maybe you’re a person with low expectations, see the glass half full, are jaded, or just plain grumpy, whatever the case, the Perpetual Disappointments Diary might just be the demotivating jam you need in your sad life. Originally launched in 2012, Nick Asbury is back with a brand-new version that’s probably nothing to get your hopes up for (but we think it is!).

This calendar is filled with (de)motivational quotes, like “Crappe diem” and “If ignorance is bliss, why are you so sad?”, notable death reminders, a contacts page for “People Who Never Call”, and useful yet depressing phrases translated into four languages, like “Anywhere. Just drive.” and “A table for one, please.”

A new addition is “The Quantified Loser” page where you can keep track of your downfall with sections that include, Netflix hours accumulated, Twitter blocks, and number of public shamings.

Creator Nick Asbury’s thoughts on the diary:

There’s that thing of sharing your best holiday photos, Instagramming your lunch, or showing off about your children’s achievements on Facebook. It’s all understandable on an individual level, but cumulatively it adds up to this unhealthy picture of what life is really like – there’s a constant background social pressure that everyone is forced to live with.

To make it worse, if your life isn’t working out, you’re told you need to have a more positive mental attitude. You see this advice everywhere – follow your passion, do what makes you happy, and everything will work out. The truth is it often won’t – and it’s not your fault. There’s great consoling power in acknowledging that life can be disappointing. The Stoics knew this. By recognizing that life is hard and people are imperfect, you can get some perspective on things. Sharing that recognition with other people, particularly through humor, can be cathartic.

The U.S. version is available here, and available everywhere else here.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.