Getting rejected can be hard. It can make you sad, hurt, surprised, or angry. In general, getting rejected rarely feels good. So how do people deal with it? Rejection hurts. It often feels personal, like we weren’t good enough for someone or something, and that can lead us to lots of other negative thoughts or feelings about ourselves. And sometimes that emotional pain can feel similar in our bodies to physical pain.

Rejection can happen in lots of ways: in person, online, by phone/text, etc. Sometimes it’s a surprise, and sometimes you know it’s coming. It can be hard to know exactly how you’ll react, but here are some things to consider on how to deal with being rejected:

Take time to cool off.

It can be a good idea to take some time away from someone who has rejected you. If it hurts or if you feel angry, this can be particularly important so that you don’t do or say something that you’ll regret. Hurting them back may feel satisfying in the moment, but it won’t help in the long run.

Allow yourself to feel all the emotions you feel.

There is no right way to feel when you’ve been rejected. Some folks feel disappointed, sad, angry, etc. – all those emotions are valid. Remember, nursing your feelings is your responsibility. It’s okay to need support but consider other people you can go to instead of making the person(s) who rejected you deal with your feelings.

Surround yourself with supportive people.

Being around people who make you feel good and care about you can be very helpful. Just because someone has rejected you doesn’t mean that there aren’t lots of other people who do accept you.

Or take time to be alone.

As great as family and friends can be, it can also help to be by yourself for a little while. It’s okay to lean on other people, but it’s also okay to take a break from people. Enjoy your own company for a while.

Take care of yourself.

You often need rest to heal with physical pain. The same can be said of the pain of rejection, so treat yourself! Some people like exercising, or ice cream, or watching their favorite movies – do what makes you feel better.

Build your self-esteem.

Being rejected can make us feel bad about ourselves. Try making a list of your accomplishments or things you like about yourself. This can be helpful in reminding you of good things about you or good things you still have in your life. If you’re struggling to think of anything to put on those lists, ask people you trust to help.

Talk to professionals.

Sometimes friends and family don’t have the right words or advice to help you through the harder parts of rejection. Counsellors, therapists, and other support services are available for short- or long-term assistance to help people heal. It’s totally okay to seek out this kind of help if you need it.

Versuasion Pakistan – Fareeha Robert