As writers, we all face rejection. It is practically a way of life in this industry sometimes. But how do you handle rejection in other areas of your life?
Do you take it to the heart or rise above it and move on? Here is my view on this subject. I hope it encourages you, inspires you, and makes you realize that it is not a reflection of you personally.
The Pain of Rejection
Rejection. Such an ugly word. This has been an issue for me my whole life. I was born premature, and my doctors and parents were always on alert as to whether I was going to keep fighting for my life. They never knew from day to day whether I was going to be okay or if I was going to reject one more procedure and give up. I chose to live.
My Dad was a narcissist, so growing up was not easy. He was always on me about one thing or another. I could never do anything right. It could be anything from how I swept a floor to my grades in school. All that ever came out of his mouth was negativity and rejection.
I would never amount to anything. Over the years, I have had to remind myself that my Dad’s rejection is not a reflection on me. I don’t take it personally anymore. His parents did everything for him, so they are the ones who created the monster.
Check boxes yes, no and maybe on white paper
Overcoming Exclusion
After my Mom and I moved out of state, it took me a while, but I eventually gained my self-esteem and self-confidence. I was still attracted to rejection, always drawn to men who had issues.
Every guy I dated lied to me, cheated on me, and then rejected me. For the longest time, I took it personally. There was always someone or something that came along that was better than me. I came to expect it.
It wasn’t until my husband came along and made me understand that it wasn’t me. I’ve come to realize that being rejected in my previous relationships wasn’t necessarily a reflection on me; there were various catalysts at play.
Thanks to my wonderful, loving husband, I have moved past all that. I’m so thankful to have found a man who sees me as priceless.
Dealing With Nonacceptance
Still, at the age of 38, I’m dealing with rejection. I am a writer; rejection is something I face daily. However, I do my best not to let it get me down.
I have my days; I’m not going to lie. However, I have had articles published on and off since I was fifteen years old. Most of the time, rejection is a way to grow and improve.
I have never received a blatantly ugly rejection in regards to my abilities. When a rejection slip arrives, I take the advice given and move on. Since I’m doing what I love, this is the best rejection ever.
If you are out there experiencing rejection in one way or another, don’t despair. Take a step back and look at all angles. Even though it may feel like it, it may not be a reflection on you. As I have learned, there are sometimes various circumstances involved.
Take a deep breath, evaluate the feedback, and then move forward. Always remember. Rejection is not a reflection of you. Don’t you know the best is yet to come?
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