What the Fear of Rejection Is Calling out and How We Can Shift the Meaning
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We Want to Hear From You!
What is one dream you put on hold because you were afraid of what people would say? Share your story in the comments below – your experience might help another woman be brave today. Let’s support each other!
1. Take risks, get rejected, feel it and then do it again
The only way to become better at something is by doing it, right? So take risks, get rejected and in doing so, allow yourself to feel whatever it is that comes up for you! If you suppress the pain, its not going anywhere; it’s just going to haunt you later. Remember lovely, the only way out is through!
2. See rejection as proof you’re courageous enough to take risks
If you’re not getting rejected, are you really living? Not everyone is going to like you. If you’re not getting rejected, maybe you need to get out of your comfort zone and start! Wear that rejection like a badge of honor, babe.
3. Be compassionate with yourself
Instead of allowing an inner bully to laugh in your face at rejection, speak back to her with kindness and compassion. Think about how you would speak to your best friend in that same situation. You wouldn’t be mean to her, so why be mean to yourself?
4. Be a student again
Use this as an opportunity for growth. What can you take away from this? Maybe you learn that there’s something in your life that you need to improve on, or you may just learn this opportunity wasn’t actually for you after all. Life is always teaching us something.
5. Let your reaction define you, not the rejection
As the old saying goes ‘as one door closes, another one opens’ – and I believe this to be so true! But you need to allow that new door to open for you! How you react to rejection will define you, not the rejection itself.
So with that, I want to leave you with this mind-blowing fact: when we spend our lives pleasing others and avoiding rejection, we are in actual fact, rejecting ourselves. So ask yourself this, who’s more important?
Join the Conversation!
We’d love to hear your thoughts, lovely. Have you ever turned a painful rejection into a positive pivot? Drop a comment below and let us know how you handled it. Your story counts!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does rejection hurt so much?
Rejection hurts because our brains are wired for connection. In the past, being rejected from a tribe meant we might not survive. Today, it triggers the same pain centers in the brain, making us feel unworthy. However, reframing it as "redirection" can help reduce the sting!
How can I stop being a people pleaser?
Stopping people pleasing starts with recognizing that when you say "yes" to others when you want to say "no," you are essentially rejecting yourself. Start small by setting boundaries and remembering that your needs are just as valid as anyone else's.
Is rejection actually good for me?
Absolutely, babe! Rejection acts as a filter. It clears away opportunities and people that aren't aligned with your true path, making space for the things that are truly meant for you.
Deborah Johnson:
Hi, I love the post, rejection can be devastating and it can have lasting effects. It is courageous to try it and try it again in order to get comfortable with it. My take on all of this is to do what you feel comfortable with and take baby steps, you’ll get there. A small victory is enormous improvement.