Dealing with Rejection

It’s quite painful being let down by something we keep on a pedestal. That person or situation doesn’t reflect the hope we saw in it. If they didn’t hire me for this prestigious role, was I ever even qualified to handle such a position? If that person turned me down, am I not as attractive as I thought? Was I ever good enough? Am I good enough? The growing vortex of doubt that begins can feel tumultuous. I experienced this in 2020 when one guy I felt particularly attached to chose to be another relationship. It was utterly heart-shattering. What did I do to deserve this? This growing feedback loop of anxiety and unworthiness around myself only amplified. I never thought I would experience this kind of a rejection. But the truth is, rejection happens to everyone.

But what does tackling on rejection with a realistic mindset mean? Upon browsing a few Youtube videos about rejection, I came across really golden words of guidance by a relationship coach Matthew Hussey: “We don’t fall in love with that thing, we fall in love with the idea of having that thing in our life.” As human beings, it’s easy to fantasize and get lost in a world where our ideals replace the truth. But after my rejection, I really began to dig deep and reflect on qualities about this guy I overlooked. And I only realized he wasn’t even close to my sparkly picture. Below the two charming qualities that pulled at my heart strings lay a puddle of toxic traits that would have hurt more. I realized that the right person or thing will always choose me back. Whether we realize it or not, rejection really is a blessing in disguise.

I don’t believe a rejection should allow you to stop chasing your dreams or embracing who you truly are, but instead encourage you to aim higher. It gives a clear vision of who you aren’t and what isn’t for you, paving way for a fruitful direction. A reset. This needed clarity allowed me to take a step back and turn to the next page of my own story. The fog cleared away as I looked straight ahead with renewal, no longer carrying this lingering string of emotional drain. I began to realign with my true self and explore what I really was passionate about. And through that, I was able to find a job working for a local magazine and begin filming videos for The Michigan Daily. Only a rejection could guide me to this.

A few pointers:

There is a lot more out there once you are brave enough to take the first step. I have attached a list of pointers that helped me when dealing with rejections. I sincerely hope this resonates or helps you out in some way!

1. As mentioned in my previous post, opening up the FaceTime app and talking to myself about the bigger picture really helped wake me up to my own glow.
2. Find new ways to express yourself. For me, writing, scripting, and adding more color to my clothing style helped me fall in love again with my own energy.
3. A rejection does not mean stop exploring! Continue to look for better opportunities and put yourself out there.
4. Don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith. Now that you know what you aren’t, this is your time to shine.
5. Be ready to receive. Abundance is out there waiting for you in so many forms. But you can’t fully utilize this if you continue to keep things that rejected you on a pedestal. You are worthy of everything you desire and more!

Here is the link to the video mentioned in the article if you are interested! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgE8Bl96itM