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HOW TO HANDLE REJECTIONS

The rejections of daily life if not treated can be very damaging to the mental health of an individual, when we experience it we feel most alone, outcast and neglected.



Rejection coming from a Latin noun ‘rēicere’, “which means to throw back” and when we face rejection it literally does throw back our self confidence, self esteem and motivation. Rejection can be defined as a refused proposal, idea or a suggestion. Rejection is something that has been experienced by each one of us in profuse ways, weather it was an idea in a group project or a romantic rejection, it is perhaps one of the earliest psychological wound that is experienced by all of us as it is an unavoidable aspect of human life.

The rejections of daily life if not treated can be very damaging to the mental health of an individual, when we experience it we feel most alone, outcast and neglected. Studies show that rejection has the similar effects to those of physical pains on our brain. When we are rejected we feel the emotional pain, we lose our ability to reason, we get angry and aggressive and our self esteem drowns deep. So what can be done when we face rejection in our daily lives? Here are some ways that can help in handling rejection.

       Be prepared

We need to keep one thing in our mind that rejection is something that is inevitable, it is unavoidable to humans. It is going to happen no matter how much we do not want it, being prepared would make things clear for you. One way we can be prepared for rejection is by not putting all that we have at one place, when we put everything at one place we are reducing our chances at other possibilities. While it is good to put efforts in a relationship, it is also good to put equal energy into your own hobbies, other important relationships and etc. this increases the chances of surviving the rejection form one area in our lives.

        Be truthful to yourself

We need to acknowledge the rejection even if it is an extremely painful thing to do at time, but just brushing it off by saying things like ‘I am not suppose to feel this way’, ‘It wasn’t even that important for me’, ‘I do not care anyway’ would worsen it for your mental well-being. Suppressing is never an option.

        Talk so someone

One way of acknowledging the hurt of rejection is by talking about it to someone, it can be anyone you trust, a friend, a family member, a relative etc. pick someone who will listen and be supportive. This can help in reassuring your feelings and talking to someone helps put your feelings into words.

        Re-establish your self-esteem

It is very necessary to pick up our self esteem and self confidence that has been shattered by the hurt from rejection. Rejection in any form culminates in self criticism which damages the self esteem. To gain back the self esteem you can try appreciating yourself for at least trying and taking that risk. You can also list out different things that make you a unique, great individual. Self positive affirmation is the greatest tool of recovering from any kind of self doubt and self guilt.

        Be Constructive

By being constructive and focusing on the things you rather learned than lost would uplift your confidence back. Rejection can be seen as an opportunity to learn and move on with valuable experiential knowledge. Turn that wall of rejection into a door of new opportunities to do better from those lessons.

        Change your perception

It is important to avoid the victimized mind set when you feel rejected, it gets us plunged into endless cycle of self blame and self guilt. Perception is everything, seeing rejection as an opportunity of gaining something much better would change the definition of rejection for you.  


Written by - Sakshi Sapra

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