Big or Small, Rejection Affects Us All – Part 1 of 3

Life is about going for things. And when we do, rejection is always a possibility.

Rejection doesn’t have to be about the big stuff : For adults rejection may be not landing the desired position, not qualifying for the dream home, not being asked to serve on a high powered board or perhaps as simple as not being invited to “the” private party.

For teens, their self esteem can be affected.  Whether it is not getting into the top college, not making the team, or not getting asked to a date or the prom. As a teen, you may be more susceptible as well as vulnerable.  Everyday situations can lead to feelings of rejection too, like if your joke didn’t get a laugh, if no one remembered to save you a seat at the lunch table, or if the person you really like talks to everyone but you.

Feeling rejected is the opposite of feeling accepted. But being rejected (and we have been and will be at times) doesn’t mean you aren’t liked, valued, or important. It just means that one time, in one situation, with one person, things didn’t work out.

Rejection hurts. But it’s impossible to avoid it altogether. In fact, you don’t want to: People who become too afraid of rejection might hold back from going after something they want. Sure, they avoid rejection, but they’re also 100% guaranteed to miss out on what they want but won’t try for.

Take time to explore what rejection you are afraid of and what the consequences are for not exploring that possibility.  Our discussion about rejection will be split up into 3 post’s & part 2 of 3 will explore how to cope with rejection.