352: The Expectation Hangover

The Connected Life

Justin Stumvoll

Mental Health, Religion & Spirituality, Health & Fitness, Christianity

4.9 • 2.6K Ratings

🗓️ 29 September 2025

⏱️ 63 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, holiday, or vacation—we often attach so much meaning and pressure to these moments that they end up feeling more stressful than special. But what if it doesn’t have to be that way?

In this episode, Justin and Abi get personal about how their own celebrations have stirred up unexpected grief, unmet expectations, and even old trauma. They unpack why we tend to expect too much from big life events and share what it actually takes to enjoy them—mess and all.

From rethinking holiday traditions to letting go of fantasy-filled expectations, this conversation is filled with real talk, laughs, and practical ways to feel more grounded in life’s most emotionally charged moments.

If you’ve ever felt let down by an event that was “supposed to be” magical, this episode is for you.

You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife

Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

Also get your hands on The Tree of Life, an allegorical novel by Justin Stumvoll on Amazon now: https://shorturl.at/hl1n4

Transcript

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0:00.0	Life isn't perfect, and neither are we.
0:05.6	No, but we know how to face our fears and have some fun.
0:09.7	And talk about all the messiest things of life.
0:13.0	Like the messiest things.
0:15.0	Get connected to yourself, get connected to others, and get connected to the life right in front of you.
0:21.6	This is the connected life with Justin and Abby.
0:24.7	That's me.
0:25.5	That's you.
0:26.5	And you.
0:27.4	I want to start with this.
0:29.0	To all of you stubborn people that have still refused to go over to YouTube and hit the
0:33.6	subscribe button and the bell button, I still love you.
0:37.4	I do too.
0:38.1	I'm still friends with you.
0:39.1	Yeah.
0:39.3	But we'd have a better relationship if we could see each other face to face.
0:45.9	Look, it's a big day.
0:48.3	I'm dressed up like Johnny Cash, wearing all black here.
0:51.7	Like Johnny Cash?
0:53.2	Well, yeah, he's the man in black. That's what is known as the man in black. I'm wearing black. I'm all black. I know. I was just trying to imagine. It's my Johnny Cash day. I was trying to imagine Johnny Cash in a hoodie. Look, the principal still stands. He was wearing complete black. Did you imagine him just in a hoodie playing his guitar?
1:13.3	I can.
1:14.6	I hurt myself today.
	...

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