Terrelle
Fear of rejection is one of the biggest fears of being a human. This is because, when we are accepted by others, it makes us feel recognized, loved, and valued.
It is easy for people to go down the rabbit hole of dejection when they experience rejection. This infuses fear which impedes people from taking the next step in their lives because they see themselves as destined for failure.
Well, I am here to tell you that there’s a way around it. This issue is so common that I went out of my way to create a list of super powerful ways to overcome the fear of rejection. Whether it is in building new relationships to advancing your career, these tips work like a charm.
First let’s cover this:
Some common causes of fear of rejection
Experiences as a child
If most of your interactions growing up led to rejections — without getting some form of emotional support, this can heighten fear of rejection later in life.
Feeling like you aren’t good enough
In the age of social media, constant comparison to others definitely exacerbates fear of rejection. You might feel like you don’t measure up to someone’s standards.
Loss aversion
You might fear losing what you have compared to desiring something new like your preexisting relationship with the person.
Cognitive distortions
Trying to act like a mind reader by assuming the worst case scenario — that others will reject you or believing that rejection is the worst thing that could ever happen to you.
What to do to overcome them
Avoid attaching yourself to the outcome: When you detach from the need for approval, you free yourself from the fear of rejection’s grip.
“If outside validation is your only source of nourishment you will hunger for the rest of your life.”
— Unknown
Everyone experiences it: At some point in life, people will have encountered rejection.
“A rejection is nothing more than a necessary step in the pursuit of success.”
– Bo Bennett
“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”
– Michael Jordan
Embrace your vulnerability: When you open up to others, you invite meaningful relationships into your life.
“Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen.”
– Brené Brown
“Vulnerability is about showing up and being seen. It’s tough to do that when we’re terrified about what people might see or think.”
– Brené Brown
Reframe rejection: Change your definition of rejection.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”
– Winston Churchill
Be kind to yourself: Self-compassion is a must. It’s what will help you stay resilient even in the face of rejection.
“Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.”
– Malcolm S. Forbes
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
– Buddha
Stay present: Use mindfulness techniques to prevent anxiety that results from playing all sorts of worst case scenarios in your head about the potential for future rejections.
“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.”
– Thich Nhat Hanh
“The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion.”
– Thich Nhat Hanh
Avoid negative self-talk: When you encounter rejection, practice positive self-talk to boost your self esteem. Remind yourself of your strengths and accomplishments.
“You are your best thing.”
– Toni Morrison
“Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth.”
– Unknown
Face it head on: Step out of your comfort zone and put yourself in situations where rejection is a possibility. What this does is that it helps you build more courage and resilience over time.
Remember, the pain of rejection is nothing compared to the pain of regret.
– Matthew Hussey
Rejection is a common occurrence. Learning that early and often will help you build up the tolerance and resistance to keep going and keep trying.
– Kevin Feige
Final thoughts
Overcoming the fear of rejection is a crucial step towards personal growth. By overcoming this fear, you end up opening yourself up to new opportunities which increases your chances of success in any facet of your life.
So remember to not to let rejection lead to self-rejection because if you don’t learn from it, it may affect your belief so hard that you start to see rejection in every opportunity.
