As someone who has been acting since I was seven, I have been to countless auditions, and I don’t always get the outcome I want. There were times I considered giving up and wondered if I was good enough. That is until I realized rejection does not define us, determine our worth, and it definitely isn’t a sign to give up, even if it happens multiple times in a row. Rejection is hard. Especially if it regards something we care deeply about. Knowing how to navigate it properly and keep putting ourselves out there is so important. If I had given up within a few times of getting rejected, I would’ve missed out on the “yeses,” incredible opportunities, and all of the things that were meant for me.Â
Everything Happens for a Reason
It’s true. What is truly meant for you will not pass you by. When we are rejected, or something doesn’t go as we had planned, there is almost always a reason for this, and it can come in many forms. Maybe the reason is a lesson you needed to learn or a job you wouldn’t actually want in the long run. Even so, the reason may not be immediately clear. It may take a while for things to unravel the way they are supposed to, but that doesn’t mean they won’t work out at all. Rejection can be confusing and leave you wondering, “Why is this happening to me?” or “What did I do wrong?” But rejection is completely out of our control. What we can control is our mindset and choosing to believe that rejection is redirection and that we must keep going.Â
Rejection is Everywhere
I’ve experienced rejection in my academic, artistic, personal and professional life. It is a vital part of my growth and development as a person, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. Rejection is a part of life, and we are bound to experience it again and again. Rather than missing out on potential opportunities due to fear of rejection, it’s important to become comfortable with it and embrace it. Think less about what if it doesn’t work out and more about what if it does.
Navigating Rejection in a Healthy Way is a Skill
After hearing an unwanted “no,” it is very normal to feel disappointed and upset. It’s also normal to take time to process these emotions and allow ourselves to feel them; however, we cannot let them consume us. If we immerse our focus in negativity, this can be very harmful to our mental well-being and make it more difficult to move on to the next thing. The more rejection I face, the better I have gotten at receiving it and accepting it, and the more comfortable I’ve felt putting myself out there. Navigating rejection isn’t always easy, and there are times I still struggle with it. What matters most is choosing to approach it with a positive attitude, even when it’s hard, and never giving up.
It Happens to Everyone
Many people are embarrassed to share rejections or feel shame in them. The truth is that rejection happens to everyone, and that you are never alone. Because rejection is in so many parts of life, everyone faces it at some point. It’s easy to compare our wins and losses to others, but everyone’s path is different. Just because someone else “won” does not mean you “lost.” It means that it just isn’t your time yet, and that’s okay. Good things can take time, and maybe a couple of rejections along the way, but that doesn’t mean they won’t ever happen.