There’s no getting around it - rejection is painful. Whether you are turned down for a job offer or face the heartbreak of a relationship ending prematurely, the experience of rejection can be harsh and unforgiving. The pain of rejection - especially when encountered early in life - can cause us to try and avoid the possibility of rejection whenever possible.
However, once you understand the normality of rejection and how frequently it occurs, you can reframe your experience. Instead of internalizing every rejection as an attack on our identity and purpose, what if we saw it as just another part of daily life?
Reframing allows you to take an experience and step away from the visceral reaction that accompanies it. Reframing helps you to say, “Ok, this has happened. But I am still a successful and talented person full of potential - this just wasn’t the right time. Let’s move forward and try again!”
Consider the times you have helped a friend or family member through a rejection experience. Have you found yourself surprised at how hard they accept rejection when you know that something even better is probably around the corner? Each time you encounter rejection, speak to yourself in the same way - reframing rejection and allowing yourself to see the possibly opportunity that lies within.