How to Deal with Rejection

Written by Prakrati Kadekar

Edited by Christina Linsley & Kaylee Kim

Rejection hurts. That “no” feels like you aren’t good enough for someone or something, and that leads to negative thoughts and emotional pain.

You ask your crush out on a date and they reply no. You apply for a job you really wanted but didn’t get it. You didn’t get promoted. You got fired from your job. People face rejections like these in their life, and some people cannot move on from them.

Personally, I have faced this scenario. I didn’t get accepted into a program I really wanted to go to. I also got denied from a summer internship I was incredibly interested in. Despite all of that, I knew I couldn’t dwell on it, and instead, I moved forward.

Some people who come back from rejection feel stronger; mentally strong people can use that pain to grow.

Here are some famous people who got denied before they became big:

• Shakira

• Meryl Steep

• Walt Disney

• J.K. Rowling

• The Beatles

• Oprah Winfrey

• Sir Isaac Newton

• Thomas Edison

• Dr. Seuss

These people faced a low point in their life but were able to turn it around and become successful.

So how did these people deal with rejection? How can you move on? Here are some pointers to help you overcome your setback.

Acknowledge your emotions - A lot of times when we feel rejected, we try to suppress or deny that pain. But to cope with this better, you should admit that you are disappointed and are confident enough to deal with such emotions. When your crush says “no” or you weren’t promoted, don’t say it was “no big deal.” The best way is to face those emotions directly.

Know that you tried - In other words, you should view rejection like you are living your life to the fullest. Expect you might get rejected; you are brave to go for it, even if it seems like a long shot. When you don’t get the job or get turned down, look at it like you are putting yourself out there.

Don’t let rejection define you - Your self-worth shouldn’t depend on other people’s opinions, because it doesn’t mean it’s true. If a company passes you up for a job, don’t think of yourself as a failure.

You learn from rejection - “What did I gain from this?” This is the question self-disciplined people ask themselves. They see rejection as an opportunity to grow and understand it can be a good teacher. Use it as a way to move forward.

Surround yourself with people who make you feel valued - After a rejection, it is difficult to have positive thinking. Having peers, such as your family and friends, can make you feel better about yourself and bounce back more easily.

These are some tips that could help you recover from your setback. Whenever you find yourself at this moment, push through and use rejection as a way for self-growth. You’ll find yourself even stronger than before, and you will achieve success in the future.

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Prakrati Kadekar is a high school junior from New Jersey. She loves sports, especially tennis and taekwondo. She also loves chess and graphic design. She wants to have a career in the psychology or neurology field.