WHY DOES REJECTION HURT SO MUCH?
Rejection is a universal human experience that we all go through at some point in our lives. Whether it's being turned down for a job which we really wanted, being rejected by a romantic partner or not being accepted by a group of friends, rejection is a painful and difficult experience to deal with. Let's have a look at why rejection is so painful and think about ways in which we can be helped to cope with it.
One of the main reasons why rejection hurts is that it can trigger a range of negative emotions, such as sadness, disappointment, anger and frustration. These emotions are often intense and overwhelming and they could make us feel as though we're not good enough or that perhaps we have failed in some way. When experiencing rejection, we may also start to question our own self-worth and wonder if there might be something wrong with us.
Rejection can leave us feeling isolated. When we've been rejected, we might feel as though we are on the outside, looking in – like we don't belong. These feelings can be particularly difficult if we have been rejected by someone or something that we really care about - perhaps someone that we've invested a lot of time and energy into.
Furthermore, rejection can be difficult to process as it can challenge our beliefs and expectations. For example, if we thought that we were a good fit for that particular job or relationship, being rejected by it can make us question our beliefs and wonder if perhaps we were wrong. This experience can be disorientating, and it can take some time to adjust our thinking and begin to come to terms with what has happened.
So practically speaking, what can you do if you are dealing with rejection?
Acknowledge how you're feeling. It is vital that you allow yourself to feel the full range of emotions that come with rejection. Don't try to suppress your feelings or pretend to the world that everything is okay. Instead, acknowledge your feelings and allow yourself to process them in a healthy way.
Be sure that you are taking care of yourself both physically and emotionally. Make sure that you are getting enough sleep, eating properly, taking some exercise or getting out of the house each day or seeking the support of friends, family or a therapist.
Try to reframe your thinking. Instead of looking at rejection as a failure or a reflection of your self-worth, try to reframe it as an opportunity for growth and learning. Ask yourself what you can learn from the experience and how you can use it to become stronger and more resilient.
It is so important that you keep moving forward and try not to get stuck in a cycle of self-doubt or negative thinking. Set yourself new goals and focus on taking positive steps to reach them.
No one would say that rejection is easy. It can be a painful and difficult experience to deal with. You may find that it triggers negative emotions, making you feel isolated and alone, and it may challenge your beliefs and expectations. However, by acknowledging your feelings, taking care of yourself, reframing your thinking and continuing to move forward in your life, you can learn to cope with rejection in a healthy and productive way.
If you are struggling to deal with rejection, remember we have highly experienced therapists and counsellors who can help you recover from rejection, reframe your thinking and go on to live the life you want and deserve.
