Obviously, rejection is not exactly the most desirable outcome. On the surface, I think that when most of us think about being rejected by someone we’re heart-eyed over, we immediately want to curl up in a hole as a response. For the longest time, I thought being rejected was the worst, most embarrassing thing that could ever happen to me. Dear lord, what a false assumption.

REJECTION.

IS.

A.

PART.

OF.

LIFE.

Yes, it’s terrifying. Yes, it can be belittling and equally terrifying. People live their lives in fear of what if it doesn’t work out? Fair point. You may very well fail and fall on your ass. What you need to ask yourself is, what if it does work out? Boom. Life changed. You’re welcome.

Life is too fleeting and far too great to be living in fear. Don’t take being turned down too seriously! Rejection is a blessing because it forces you to move on- both in terms of pursuing a relationship and attempting to further your career.

Albeit rejection stinks, there are two sides to every coin. Wallow in the pain and tell yourself you’ll never move on or be successful or find bae- OR channel that pain into focusing on the good. Hey, now that I know X isn’t possible for me, what can I do next? What opportunity is still waiting for me? Remind yourself that everyone experiences rejection and not everyone has a clear cut path in front of them. It can feel trivializing when you’re turned away from something especially when you once thought your world depended on it.

What I will emphasize more than anything is to NOT let that rejection stifle you. It happens. It is OK to try and be let down. Commend yourself for taking that first step towards something great in life; you deserve it. Now that you know it won’t work out, focus on what’s next. Start from the ground up, configure how you can improve and bloody DO. IT.

Rejection isn’t the highlight of your life. Instead of being too afraid in the first place, attack it head on. While the worst case scenario is that things don't go as planned, the best would present a scenario far better than the original.