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I don’t think any of us ever invite our “friend” rejection in our lives, but somehow from time to time it shows up at our doorstep. Over the past few weeks, it has shown up at my doorstep with freshly picked flowers. This Truth Tuesday I want to tell you about rejection, how I’m learning to take the flowers out of its hand and rejecting its advances.
I initially started writing this blog by telling the story of the two incidents in which I felt rejected. I was coming from a place of hurt and anger. If I’m being honest, I wanted to use my words to inflict a small amount of pain on those people. Then it hit me, how will that help me heal this wound? It wouldn’t! So, I decided to take a different approach.
I thought about my previous interactions/relationship with them, and there lied my answer. The rejection I felt didn’t surprise me, instead it hurt. Sometimes, we put ourselves in hurtful situations and then try to mask it with our self righteousness while throwing blame at others.
So, what did I learn from rejection?
When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. I know this quote has become overused, but it’s very true. I knew what I was getting myself into, and neither parties veered from who they’ve always shown themselves to be.
Secondly, I decided not to play the victim. Remember I said “Rejection” showed up at my doorstep with flowers? I took the flowers, but not in the sense of playing along with its charade. I used them as a way to signify the blooming of my personal growth. We tend to give flowers to celebrate things in life, and as corny as it may sound, I’m giving myself permission to celebrate my growth in this situation. I’d be lying if I said I won’t think of either of these situations again and have old feelings resurface, but the key is to acknowledge them and move on from it.
Have you ever experienced rejection? If so, how did you deal with it?
Until next time loves…
I have experienced rejection numerous of times but in different aspects. One rejection haunted me for years in the form of an exam. However, this year I took my flowers back as you stated, and not allow the fear of rejection to take over. In return I passed my exam!! On the flip side I was rejected of a learning opportunity to pursue event planning and the vision that I had. However, I used the rejection to fuel my vision even more and move forward with starting my blog. Now I have someone willing to show me the behind the scenes of event planning and photography to bring my vision even more to life for my brand !
Rejection is just a push towards greatness. 🙂
Ashlee thanks so much for your transparency. I’m glad you used it to fuel your vision and move forward with your blog.
Great post! Rejection builds character and the tenacity to continue to move forward. I have been rejected from relationships, jobs, business ventures and I have learned it is not the end of the world. Keep up the great posts!
I agree, it does build character.
You look stunning Sheena! Yes I have experienced rejection many times and in different forms. However, I have started to learn and grow from it. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger! Thank you for your insights girl!
So true!!!
As a content marketer, I experience rejection quite a lot in my field of work. However, I handle it by accepting it and learning from it. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to really celebrate the victories.
Yes, really celebrate the victories ❤️
I honestly don’t handle rejection very well but I’m working on it. I love how you took those flowers and turned it around to celebrate something positive instead.
Thanks so much
Rejection is something that I don’t really deal well with, I have learned there is a lesson in it all or a blessing in it but at the moment its a hard pill to swallow.
Yes, definitely a lesson or blessing in every rejection
I use to fear rejection but decided to turn it into a lesson or blessing. Great post!
Thanks so much
It took me a long time to learn the lesson of “when someone shows you who they are, believe them”. I really appreciate you sharing your experiences. You share things I’ve experienced but never really spoke on.
I’m happy I’m talking about things others have experienced as well
The lesson you learned when you wrote “Remember I said “Rejection” showed up at my doorstep with flowers? I took the flowers, but not in the sense of playing along with its charade,” is one that many of us can relate to. It’s important to understand our worth and not go back into bad situations when a gift and apology is given. Sometimes we need to just stand our ground.
Yes, I agree it’s really important to understand our worth ❤️
“When someone shows you who they are, believe them” No truer words have ever been spoken/written.
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 yes ma’am
I don’t handle reject in the healthiest way. I think I take a more mature approach now, but I’m still not where I probably should be. It is a process, also it depends on the type of rejection. Some cut far deeper than others. For the non-heavy stuff, I normally shrug and keep it moving. The heavy stuff is where I struggle.
Yes, the level of rejection plays a huge role on how I react.
Fear of rejection stops me from even pursuing things sometimes and I know that’s horrible. I’m getting better at learning to handle the no’s and moving on to accepting that what’s for me will always be mine.
Great insight and perspective to have