Life: It’s often disappointing!

Whether it’s everyday experiences with family, friends, work, love, or the general hell of other people, there’s ample opportunity for disillusionment. Hilarious disillusionment. Disappointment guru Dave Tarnowski's second collection features new and exclusive affirmations and dozens of transformed and unpublished fan favorites from his wildly popular Instagram account.

This abundance of wisdom is helpfully organized into ten everyday subjects on which we can all use a little subversive sympathetic enlightenment (including Affirmations for Success, Self-Improvement, and The Future). Dave excavates each subject further in a funny, clear-eyed short essay. All photos are his own. All feelings widely shared.

Like a non-disappointing gift with purchase, the book's jacket folds out into a new motivational poster, suitable for display anywhere disappointment may strike. IT REALLY IS OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY: People say, “It’s okay to not be okay,” but then it feels like they need you to be okay. This subversively funny book is the perfect way to remind ourselves, or anyone who needs it, that it's better to deal with our feelings honestly than fall into the “positive vibes only” self-help trap.

MORE FEELINGS THAN EVER BEFORE: Tarnowski's pithy photo-illuminated consolations and manifestos are as sharp and relatable as ever. Now paired with observational essays that plumb depths and cast light, it's a whole new ride.

TOXIC POSITIVITY CAN GO TO HELL: Enough, already.

WAIT, THERE’S MORE! See also the original, national bestselling Disappointing Affirmations book and accompanying stationery and gift items, including Disappointing Affirmations Deck, Disappointing AffirmationsPencils, Disappointing Affirmations: 30 Postcards, Disappointing AffirmationsSticker Book, and Disappointing Affirmations: The Game. You won’t be disappointed.

Perfect for: College grads, people entering the workforce, people who wish they hadn’t entered the workforce Fans of the @disappointingaffirmations Instagram account Anyone who isn't always cheerful and doesn't feel seen Fans of satire and sarcastic humor Anyone feeling burnout, empathy fatigue, positivity fatigue, or fatigue in general

From the wildly popular Instagram account and USA Today bestselling book, the Disappointing Affirmations2026 Wall Calendar hilariously counters the culture of relentless toxic positivity with a realistic take on a disappointing world where month-to-month, week after week, day-by-day failure is always an option.

Pairing lovely vacation photos taken by the author himself with sayings that are amusingly self-critical, encouraging, disillusioned, or all three at once, Dave Tarnowski points to feelings commonly unacknowledged or hidden and spotlights them with humor, wit, and empathy. You can do it! But you probably won’t.

24-page 12 x 12 inch month-by-month calendar

DISAPPOINTMENT LOOMS LARGE: Totally not-disappointing large format aphorisms set in beautiful natural environments. Twelve monthly images, plus one for Sept–Dec 2025 at a glance.

SELF-HELP HUMOR AT A GLANCE: Easy to hang at home or over an office desk—anywhere disappointment may strike. This comic gem offers a monthly dose of sneaky self-help in the form of expectation-setting affirmations. Perfect for anyone who knows it's really okay to not be okay all the time.

PLASTIC-FREE MATERIALS: 100% plastic-free packaging and product.

THERE’S MORE: See also the Disappointing Affirmations: Unfollow Your Dreams book, Disappointing Affirmations Pencils, and Disappointing Affirmations: 30 Postcards set. You won’t be disappointed.

Perfect for:

From the wildly popular Instagram account, Disappointing Affirmations hilariously counters the culture of relentless toxic positivity with a realistic take on a disappointing world where failure is always an option, but that's okay.

Pairing lovely vacation photos taken by the author himself with sayings that are amusingly self-critical, encouraging, disillusioned, or all three at once, Tarnowski points to feelings commonly unacknowledged or hidden and spotlights them with humor, wit, and empathy. You can do it! But you probably won't. But also: Be kind to yourself, asshole. Transforming and re-envisioning the material for print while adding tons of new work, this is the funny-because-it's-true, sneaky self-help gift book for anyone who isn't happy all the time and doesn't feel seen in the whole positive mental attitude" culture. Unfollow your dreams!

IT REALLY IS OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY: People say, "It's okay to not be okay," but then it feels like they need you to be okay. This subversively funny book is the perfect way to remind ourselves, or anyone who needs it, that it's better to deal with our feelings honestly than fall into the "positive vibes only" self-help trap.

COMEDY FOR A NEW ERA: Wellness has been slowly taking a darker turn in popular culture, and comedy is no exception. From Inside by Bo Burnham to the absurdity of TV giant Succession, audiences are drawn to media that embraces discomfort rather than drowning it out. Disappointing Affirmations may not look very comforting, but not all self-care comes in the form of warm hugs and sunrise yoga.

FOR HUMOR BOOK FANS: Seeking a gift for the anti-optimist in your life? This one fits the bill for fans of satirical doom classics and self-help antidotes such as All My Friends Are Dead, Am I Overthinking This?, the Worst Case Scenario series, and The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck .

THERE'S MORE: See also the Disappointing AffirmationsPencils and Disappointing Affirmations: 30 Postcards set. You won't be disappointed.

Perfect for:- College grads, people entering the workforce, people who wish they hadn't entered the workforce - Fans of the @disappointingaffirmations Instagram account - Anyone who isn't always cheerful and doesn't feel seen - Fans of satire and sarcastic humor - Anyone feeling burnout, empathy fatigue, positivity fatigue, or fatigue in general

From the wildly popular @disappointingaffirmations Instagram account, here are thirty hilariously realistic affirmation postcards for a disappointing world where failure is always an option.

The Disappointing Affirmations postcard set offers a funny take on the inspirational language of a culture that insists that everyone try to remain upbeat in the face of a world that's clearly not okay, and gives us permission to not be okay as well.

Keep or send to someone you love who also thinks toxic positivity can go to hell.

SET OF 30 POSTCARDS TO KEEP OR SEND: Easy-to-detach cards make mini affirmational posters to hang at home or work. Also a great way to keep in touch with friends and family-send them an affirmation to let them know you see them and that relentless positivity is bullshit.

FROM THE POPULAR INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT: Fans of the popular Instagram account @disappointingaffirmations will love these officially licensed postcards.

UNIQUELY DESIGNED: Disappointing Affirmations creator Dave Tarnowski custom-remixed all 30 images and sayings for a uniquely beautiful postcardian or mini print-hanging experience.

THERE'S MORE: See also the Disappointing Affirmations book and Disappointing AffirmationsPencils set. You won't be disappointed.

Perfect for:- Anyone looking to counter the culture of toxic positivity in a humorous way - Fans of the @disappointingaffirmations Instagram account - Anyone who isn't always cheerful and doesn't feel seen - Fans of satire and sarcastic humor