Rejection: a guide on when to take it personally
The dictionary defines ‘rejection’ quite clinically as “dismissing a proposal”. I personally like to think of it as “a turn in a new direction; a direction we choose”. If reflected upon wisely, rejection can actually be helpful. It steers us towards living more in line with our values, hopes and dreams of the person we’d like to be.
Rejection can be seen as a favour
I’ve spoken about this concept previously on my Instagram. Someone’s rejection of us is often more a reflection on them than us — what was it about us that was so hard for them to see that they had to actively avoid us? Did we serve as a mirror, showing them something within themselves they’ve been too scared to confront? In these cases, I see rejection as a favour — because if someone isn’t ready for us (they’re not equally working on themselves, they’re travelling a different path or our values don’t align) then we can continue forward focusing our energy on the connections that matter.
We may be “too much” for someone: too outspoken, too intimidating, too passionate, too active, too relaxed… They may judge you, ghost you, shame you as a result.
Basically, if someone can’t handle your “too muchness”, and they make you feel bad about it, honey — they’re not for you. It’s a good thing they saved you the task of rejection.
It’s in these circumstances that we don’t take rejection personally. With compassion, we accept that they have their own baggage going on. They’re on their own quest, and we need to leave them be.
However, here’s the flipside: can taking rejection personally actually HELP us sometimes? When do we take on board the reasons people have rejected us as valid feedback?
Rejection teaches you about yourself
We can break it down into two opportunities. There is information available in:
1. HOW you respond to rejection
Like neon flashing lights, this can provide clues to the areas you need to work on. Do you…
Beg for someone to take you back, and ask a lot of questions?
Play it totally cool, pretend you don’t give a shit?
Spread rumours or do something to sabotage their life in order to get revenge?
Call all your friends and ask for consolation day and night, replaying the past over and over?
2. WHAT you’re rejected for
Of course, it’s difficult to be certain on the exact reason someone suddenly ceased communication with you, broke up with you or continued shrugging off plans to see you. At the beginning I defined rejection as “a turn in a new direction; a direction we choose”. It is always in our hands, the meaning we make of every experience.
When to take rejection personally
Three magic questions
The following are indicators of how much the rejection had to do with you vs. the person.
1. Did the rejection hurt?
If the rejection struck a chord, then that’s a sign part of us believes that their reason for rejecting us is valid.
Alternatively, if you genuinely don’t believe their judgements of you are true, your hurt is instead a sign of self-doubt. In moments where someone shares their views of you (“your outfit sucks”), you abandon your own views in favour of honouring theirs (“oh, maybe I’m not very good at fashion after all”).
All arrows point to building a stronger relationship to yourself so that when others give you their unsolicited advice and judgements you remain grounded. “Nah, this outfit is ACE.”
2. Have you heard this feedback before?
If you’ve been rejected many times over for the same reason, that’s a bit of a clue. I’m going to talk later about how important context is. Obviously if you keep getting rejected for your disability or niche preferences, then that’s not on you. That’s literal prejudice. For this question, I’m thinking more about your relationships and how you treat people.
3. If you put this feedback into practice would it take you more towards (or further from) the person you want to be?
Picture your life if you were to implement the feedback given to you — would it look better or would it take you away from your values and dreams?
What if things were going well?
You might have been the most compatible, healthy choice of a partner for this person, then they left. Why? Most of the time, it just so happens that at this stage in their life they’re functioning from their wounds. From that place they were unable to clearly see what was standing right in front of them. They are stuck in a pattern of continuing to go for what’s familiar and comfortable (you proved to be too “uncomfortable”), even if it’s not good for them. However, that’s their path. Not yours. Only they can come to realise this. The decision to change lies in their hands.
Another question for you is, are you choosing emotionally unavailable people? Truth of the matter is, you may be functioning from your wounds too, following a pattern of being attracted to people that aren’t healthy for you.
When thinking about rejection, be honest with yourself. How do you truly feel? What has this experience dug up? I always advocate for doing the “inner work” sooner rather than later otherwise that bitterness will carry forward into your next dates and relationships.
Context, context, context
It’s really important that we acknowledge the setting within which the rejection took place. Fact is, we exist in a world where we’re fed ideals of how a woman, POC, person with a disability, person of low socio-economic status and so on “should be”.
As a cis-gendered white woman I’ve grown up surrounded by ideals of how I should look and behave, especially around cis-het men. For centuries a woman’s body has existed to be gazed at and objectified. Her role has been solely to raise children and look after a home. When she steps outside of that — when she’s outspoken, independent, fierce, ambitious — she’s often invalidated or shamed. Add being a black woman to the equation and the judgement and marginalisation is of course a million times magnified.
Therefore, when I’m rejected because I’m seen as intimidating, too intelligent, too independent or whatever, that is when rejection is a favour. I’m not going to waste my time with someone who wants to keep me small and in a box. However, if those qualities of confidence listed above were to skirt into condescension, lecturing and self-entitlement, that would be a sign of when rejection is pointing at what we might consider changing within ourselves.
Examples of ‘helpful’ rejection
Here are some examples of qualities rejection may expose within yourself that you may consider re-evaluating and working on:
Judgemental attitudes
Mansplaining
Racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, ableism
Superiority complexes
Over-reliance on others and codependency
Toxic hedonism and superficiality
Emotional distance
Unfaithfulness
Dishonesty and chronic lying
Gaslighting
Close-mindedness
Lack of self-accountability
Extreme self-criticism
When you struggle to let go
First of all, remember that everyone has their own quirks of what they’re attracted to. We can’t modify ourself to fit someone else’s preferences. We simply have to accept their different tastes.
What happens, though, if you thought this person was the most perfect potential friend or partner in the world? You’re devastated that they went cold turkey on you. This is how I think of it:
Rejection can be a sign that we simply weren’t ready to receive this person into our life.
We all have baggage. Perhaps you were still deep in the middle of working through yours when you met this person. It’s okay that your timing didn’t align. I know that’s a hard thing to accept, because it can leave us feeling like we’re inadequate. If I’m not ready today, WHEN will I be ready? If I’m not good enough for them, who will I be good enough for? Will I be alone forever? Those lines of questioning of course send us in an unhelpful headspin.
To resolve these feelings of not enoughness, see your encounter with that person instead as an encouragement. They presented to you as evidence of the amazing relationships ahead you WILL experience, which is especially hope-inspiring when you’ve experienced a succession of toxic relationships and eventually start feeling that’s all you deserve. It’s not — look at this person as an example of what’s out there.
Of course, please provide yourself space to feel deeply into what arises around rejection. Whatever comes is valid. It speaks to a history, to a story. However, once you’ve honoured your feelings and have started to feel stuck or stagnant (this is an indication it’s time to move on), I invite you to see rejection not as a loss but as an opportunity. An opportunity to get closer to yourself.
