Rejection in any form is never easy. It can bring up a range of different feelings, from disappointment through to anger. Whether it’s a romantic rejection or a business one, they all feel deeply personal and can be difficult to shake off. The negative thoughts about ourselves that follow a rejection can be tricky to deal with, if you don’t have the right tools.

1. Acknowledge The Emotions

Sometimes, rejection can be so hurtful that it manifests in physical pain. Other times, it can be an irritation that leaves you feeling a little strange. Whatever the depth of the feelings, it’s important to acknowledge them and know that they are allowed and legitimate.

There are many times when it can be most effective to give yourself a moment to feel the feelings and work through them. If you simply try to brush them off – even the lighter emotions related to rejection – you may end up burying them instead of letting go of them.

2. Remind Yourself Why You Are Great

A rejection usually feels like a personal reflection of who you are. You as a person were rejected by a crush, a friend, a colleague, a company, etc. It’s hard not to take this personally and to feel like you are somehow lacking because of the rejection.

Once you have taken a moment to acknowledge the emotions brought on by it, you should look to rebuild your self-esteem. Take some time to remind yourself what you do have to offer the world and that the rejection only frees you up to give your gifts to someone or something that is more deserving of them.

If you are unable to find the things in your life that are worthy of not being rejected, turn to your friends for help. They will be able to point out your good attributes and remind you why you are worth more than the person or place that rejected you. There are also a number of professional support services and counsellors that give you help if you are in need.

3. Learn From The Experience

Rejection is always a teachable moment. It may hurt or be horrible to relive in your memory, but it is very important to do so when you are ready. You must look at the situation as frankly and honestly as possible in order to really learn from the rejection.

Ask yourself what led to the moment – actions on both sides are usually the cause. Through this process, you can learn how to look for warning signs from other parties in the future. You can also look at your own actions and try to ensure you don’t let those become a factor again. Through this process, you will learn a lot about yourself and how you react to certain situations. This can lead to you improving who you are and learning to love who you are.

Remember, rejection is all a part of life. Without it, we may not fully understand what it is to be accepted.