In life, we’ve all been rejected at one point or the other. Getting fired from our jobs, being separated from our partners or getting snubbed by our friends can all lead to feelings of rejection—and the pain that follows can be absolutely devastating, leaving us wondering how to deal with rejection.
Like a pinned needle on the arm, rejection of any kind continues to hurt long after the initial act has taken place. It can deprive us of peace and make us feel insignificant. We start seeing rejection as an indicator of self-worth, which makes us feel even worse.
The fact is, rejection always gives us an opportunity to grow. A study found that when people get rejected, they feel embarrassed, lonely and anxious. According to Guy Winch, a psychologist and author of Emotional First Aid: Healing Rejection, Guilt, Failure, and Other Everyday Hurts, “Even very mild rejection can really sting.”
Thankfully, there are effective ways to deal with rejection without letting it get the better of us. We can learn the practices discussed below to curb unhealthy responses, soothe emotional pain and rebuild self-esteem.
Accept and move on
When someone with whom you’ve shared a close relationship calls it quits, the pain you feel can be paralysing. You feel sad, angry and frustrated, all at the same time. But bottling up such emotions can only make you feel worse. According to a study, Unpacking Emotion Differentiation: Transforming Unpleasant Experience by perceiving Distinctions in Negativity, “Once you accept rejection, you can fully embrace your emotions and begin to control them to finally disconnect. If you don’t, they will always be there, waiting for their chance to return.”
Learn from the experience
Whether you’re trying to sell a product or pitching an idea to your manager, if your approach doesn’t work out, you’re likely to feel rejected. The important thing here is to learn from that experience. Be open to feedback instead of taking it as a personal hit. If you refuse to listen, you won’t be able to change your performance or your behaviour. Use what you’ve learnt to prepare yourself for the next opportunity that comes your way.
Don’t take rejections personally
When someone disregards you, it may be hard to not take it personally. You tend to feel hurt and your self-esteem plummets. A major knockback is enough to make you never want to put yourself out there again. However, some rejections aren’t as personal as they seem to be. If someone rejects your opinion because they prefer something else, it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you. It simply means their opinions are different from yours.
Accepting and moving on after facing rejection is important for emotional healing and personal growth. Learning from rejection benefits personal and professional development by providing valuable insights and opportunities for improvement.
Being around positive people is important when dealing with rejection and provides support and encouragement during difficult times.
Rejection does not define a person’s self-worth, It redirects us towards better opportunities and growth.
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