Deliver toUnited Arab Emirates
Disappointing Affirmations

Description:

USA Today Bestseller

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. From the creator of the wildly popular Instagram account @disappointingaffirmations.

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!

Like a non-disappointing gift with purchase, 
the book's jacket folds out into a 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.

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.

WAIT, THERE’S MORE!: See also the follow-up book,
Sorry in advance for making things weird., and accompanying stationery and gift items, including Disappointing Affirmations Deck, Wall Calendar, Pencils, 30 Postcards set, Sticker 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
  • Gift-giving for birthdays, breakups, gratitude-averse Thanksgiving hosts, funny stocking stuffers, or just for fun


Editorial Reviews

Review

"After a long sleepless night of catastrophizing and rehearsing my inadequacies, I take strange comfort in Dave Tarnowski’s new book, 'Disappointing Affirmations.'"

The Washington Post

About the Author

Dave Tarnowski is the author of about a dozen unfinished novels who turned to memes when he finally gave up on his dreams of being a writer of anything longer than a few sentences. He lives in New York City with his neuroses. Follow him on Instagram at @disappointingaffirmations.
 

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Endless laughs! Great gift.

T.K. · August 20, 2025

Endless laughs! Great gift.

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Disappointing Affirmations

J. · September 21, 2025

Super funny. Saw this book at a gift shop in an icecream store one day and knew that I would need to order it for a friend in the future so I did. Worth every penny. 10/10

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Buy

A. · September 21, 2025

I’ve now purchased two of these (soon to be three). Bought the first one for my mom and the second for my bff who is an HR manager for a major company. They both love them. It is funny to see on someone’s desk or table. Gives you a good laugh when you need a little pick me up.

5.0 out of 5 stars Who Needs Motivation When You Have DeMotivation.

J. · July 18, 2025

I have ordered 3 of these and given them to my nursing co-workers. We have gotten so many laughs from the quotes. Such a great little gift for people who have a semi-dark or sarcastic sense of humor.

5.0 out of 5 stars So funny!

D.t. · September 14, 2025

This book reminds me of the things everyone thinks in their head, but we don't share in public. So real and funny in the worst way.

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious!

T.R.P. · October 6, 2025

Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys clever, edgy humor- just be ready for some seriously funny, irreverent gems

4.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing shipping, not the book.

T. · May 14, 2025

Cool little meme book with a jacket cover poster. Saw this on ig and wanted to show my support for the author, so I bought this first book and now waiting on the second one to come out. This cute small hardcover book is very relatable and funny. I took off one star because it took ssooo long to get delivered.

5.0 out of 5 stars VERY clever and funny!

d. · October 21, 2025

This was given to me as a gift…loved it and got for a friend that also experienced a bad depression who also loved it.Nothing funny about depression, but the author has also suffered depression and is so clever and funny. Don’t need to suffer depression to appreciate….i have given it to others who have never gone down that black hole and had lots of laughs!

Brain soother for those who are sick of toxic positivity

s.s. · July 15, 2024

Each quote relates to things we feel every now and then awesome book 10 stars to the author

.

S.f.r.e.a.s.u.o.b.k.S.e.u.o.k.s.a.d.h.k.m.d.d.p.i.b.h.1.a.1. · November 22, 2024

Rolig bok och medföljer även poster du kan rama in.

Love this book!

S. · February 7, 2025

It took awhile to arrive (I live in Europe) but it was worth the wait! Read it, why don't you!

Brilliant, just brilliant.

M.S. · June 15, 2024

I discovered this book through the 'Alex & Books Newsletter' where it was described as the funniest book Alex had ever read, and some of the affirmations shared, immediately convinced me to order a copy, as they were hilarious.Although the book is titled 'Disappointing Affirmations', it did not disappoint. It's a quick read which can be achieved in one toilet sitting (it's where I get a surprising amount of reading done!), and some of the affirmations are just brilliant.The book is beautifully illustrated (a quintessential "coffee table" book), and the book jacket unfolds into a poster, which is a concept I've never seen before. It's not a poster I would stick on my wall, but it's a cool idea nonetheless!It strikes me as the type of book which would make a perfect Birthday/Christmas gift for a friend/relative/Secret Santa, if you're struggling for ideas.I've read a lot of self-help books over the years and personal development is something I'm keenly interested in, and it's refreshing to read a book which is inspiring but very blunt and down-to-earth. There's no filler in this book, it's just straight-to-the-point. And laugh-out-loud funny.The author describes some of his own struggles in the introduction (ADHD/Bipolar) and I think the biggest message I took away from the book is acceptance. In this social media obsessed world with people photographing everything for "the gram", doom-scrolling through Twitter (X!), and entranced by TIK TOK videos, some people feel pressure to "keep up with the Joneses". But you don't have to. As the author says: "Failure is always an option."

Großartig.

A.K. · October 15, 2025

Wirklich eine große Bereicherung.

Disappointing Affirmations

Product ID: U1797226665
Condition: New

4.8

AED8982

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Type: Hardcover
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United States

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

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Disappointing Affirmations

Product ID: U1797226665
Condition: New

4.8

Disappointing Affirmations-0
Type: Hardcover

AED8982

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United States

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

Description:

USA Today Bestseller

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. From the creator of the wildly popular Instagram account @disappointingaffirmations.

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!

Like a non-disappointing gift with purchase, 
the book's jacket folds out into a 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.

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.

WAIT, THERE’S MORE!: See also the follow-up book,
Sorry in advance for making things weird., and accompanying stationery and gift items, including Disappointing Affirmations Deck, Wall Calendar, Pencils, 30 Postcards set, Sticker 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
  • Gift-giving for birthdays, breakups, gratitude-averse Thanksgiving hosts, funny stocking stuffers, or just for fun


Editorial Reviews

Review

"After a long sleepless night of catastrophizing and rehearsing my inadequacies, I take strange comfort in Dave Tarnowski’s new book, 'Disappointing Affirmations.'"

The Washington Post

About the Author

Dave Tarnowski is the author of about a dozen unfinished novels who turned to memes when he finally gave up on his dreams of being a writer of anything longer than a few sentences. He lives in New York City with his neuroses. Follow him on Instagram at @disappointingaffirmations.
 

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Endless laughs! Great gift.

T.K. · August 20, 2025

Endless laughs! Great gift.

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Disappointing Affirmations

J. · September 21, 2025

Super funny. Saw this book at a gift shop in an icecream store one day and knew that I would need to order it for a friend in the future so I did. Worth every penny. 10/10

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Buy

A. · September 21, 2025

I’ve now purchased two of these (soon to be three). Bought the first one for my mom and the second for my bff who is an HR manager for a major company. They both love them. It is funny to see on someone’s desk or table. Gives you a good laugh when you need a little pick me up.

5.0 out of 5 stars Who Needs Motivation When You Have DeMotivation.

J. · July 18, 2025

I have ordered 3 of these and given them to my nursing co-workers. We have gotten so many laughs from the quotes. Such a great little gift for people who have a semi-dark or sarcastic sense of humor.

5.0 out of 5 stars So funny!

D.t. · September 14, 2025

This book reminds me of the things everyone thinks in their head, but we don't share in public. So real and funny in the worst way.

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious!

T.R.P. · October 6, 2025

Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys clever, edgy humor- just be ready for some seriously funny, irreverent gems

4.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing shipping, not the book.

T. · May 14, 2025

Cool little meme book with a jacket cover poster. Saw this on ig and wanted to show my support for the author, so I bought this first book and now waiting on the second one to come out. This cute small hardcover book is very relatable and funny. I took off one star because it took ssooo long to get delivered.

5.0 out of 5 stars VERY clever and funny!

d. · October 21, 2025

This was given to me as a gift…loved it and got for a friend that also experienced a bad depression who also loved it.Nothing funny about depression, but the author has also suffered depression and is so clever and funny. Don’t need to suffer depression to appreciate….i have given it to others who have never gone down that black hole and had lots of laughs!

Brain soother for those who are sick of toxic positivity

s.s. · July 15, 2024

Each quote relates to things we feel every now and then awesome book 10 stars to the author

.

S.f.r.e.a.s.u.o.b.k.S.e.u.o.k.s.a.d.h.k.m.d.d.p.i.b.h.1.a.1. · November 22, 2024

Rolig bok och medföljer även poster du kan rama in.

Love this book!

S. · February 7, 2025

It took awhile to arrive (I live in Europe) but it was worth the wait! Read it, why don't you!

Brilliant, just brilliant.

M.S. · June 15, 2024

I discovered this book through the 'Alex & Books Newsletter' where it was described as the funniest book Alex had ever read, and some of the affirmations shared, immediately convinced me to order a copy, as they were hilarious.Although the book is titled 'Disappointing Affirmations', it did not disappoint. It's a quick read which can be achieved in one toilet sitting (it's where I get a surprising amount of reading done!), and some of the affirmations are just brilliant.The book is beautifully illustrated (a quintessential "coffee table" book), and the book jacket unfolds into a poster, which is a concept I've never seen before. It's not a poster I would stick on my wall, but it's a cool idea nonetheless!It strikes me as the type of book which would make a perfect Birthday/Christmas gift for a friend/relative/Secret Santa, if you're struggling for ideas.I've read a lot of self-help books over the years and personal development is something I'm keenly interested in, and it's refreshing to read a book which is inspiring but very blunt and down-to-earth. There's no filler in this book, it's just straight-to-the-point. And laugh-out-loud funny.The author describes some of his own struggles in the introduction (ADHD/Bipolar) and I think the biggest message I took away from the book is acceptance. In this social media obsessed world with people photographing everything for "the gram", doom-scrolling through Twitter (X!), and entranced by TIK TOK videos, some people feel pressure to "keep up with the Joneses". But you don't have to. As the author says: "Failure is always an option."

Großartig.

A.K. · October 15, 2025

Wirklich eine große Bereicherung.

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More from this brand

Similar items from “Parodies”