How to Laugh at Rejection (Even When You Want to Cry)
- Tanesha Moody
- Mar 29
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 2
How to Laugh at Rejection (Even When You Want to Cry)
Humor can be an unexpected and effective tool for navigating rejection. Through much trial and error, I’ve realized that personifying Rejection as a clumsy character makes her frequent visits easier to navigate. Sometimes, I picture my Mime, who represents Rejection in my imagination, stumbling through her routine and awkwardly making noises when she’s supposed to be silent. Her sad and chaotic hot mess of antics makes the pain of a rejection experience a little more bearable and kinda funny, honestly.
Personifying Rejection might not work for everyone. Maybe you, this sophisticated, completely healed human reading this, don’t need a mime, a clown, or any visual to help you recognize rejection when it shows up. Good for you– go have a cookie. But for those of you who, like me, process difficult moments of life life-ing through humor, this can be just what you need to not reach for your favorite coping method of choice. There’s something freeing about imagining Rejection as a person, thing, (or mime!) because it allows you to visualize and acknowledge her presence. For me, it’s helped that when she makes her grand appearance, I can laugh rather than sulk, mope, and cry in a corner – knocking me off my journey temporarily.
Alright, let’s break it down for those in the back. You ever been in a situation where you know something isn’t funny, but you laugh anyway? Maybe it’s a dark humor thing, or it’s just our way of processing the absurdity of life trying to hit us where it hurts. Personally, those rejection emails that arrive months—sometimes years (my goodness, I wish I were kidding!)—after I’ve applied for something are perfect examples. It’s hard not to laugh when you get a rejection 13 months after submitting an application for a job you’ve long forgotten about. Or when your so-called work BFF leaves you off the lunch invite list. There’s humor in that awkwardness, even if it’s just to avoid the tears. And maybe, the tears and the laughter mix together. I feel that this is a separate blog post or a chat with my Therapist… moving on.
I’m not saying I don’t feel the pain, disappointment, or heart-cracking strike of rejection. Of course, I do. But sometimes, that sting comes with a side of snarky laughter. Maybe that laughter is a way of protecting myself, or maybe it’s a cathartic release (I’ll leave that for the psychologists to explain). I know that humor makes rejection feel lighter because, through those hahas and hehes, I remember that Rejection is a temporary setback, not a determination of my worth as a person.
In my previous posts, I’ve talked about how personifying Rejection has been one of the most valuable tools in my toolkit. When I see Rejection as my hot mess, Mime, I can’t help but laugh at her attempts to juggle my emotions or build an invisible wall. Girlfriend needs a new gig. In these moments, it’s a bit easier to see the gifts she brings—clarity, growth, and even a sense of relief when I realize I wasn’t meant to be wherever she’s blocking me from. If I’m keeping it all the way real, sometimes Rejection is doing me a favor!
What would happen if we laughed every time Rejection knocked at the door? What if we welcomed her awkward entrance with open arms and a good chuckle instead of dreading it? For someone like me, who probably encounters some form of rejection at least once a day (whether it’s big or small), that kind of shift has me excited to face Rejection. By laughing at Rejection, we reclaim our power. Instead of labeling it as something negative, we start to see it as just another part of life—something that “is,” not something that defines us.
I believe humor helps us celebrate rejection, even when it’s painful. It allows us to step outside of the experience and see the bigger picture. We’re not just laughing to keep from crying (although sometimes, ok usually, that’s part of it); we’re laughing because we realize rejection isn’t as personal as it feels. It’s just a “no” to an opportunity or an offer, not a “no” to who we are.
This perspective is liberating. Life is already hard enough—there’s no reason to make it harder by taking rejection too seriously. We miss out on so much of life's playful, joyous side when we focus solely on the pain of a “no.” But when we embrace the humor in it, we open ourselves up to all the gifts Rejection brings along with her—gifts like resilience, perspective, and the occasional belly laugh.
I’m not here to downplay rejection. It hurts, and sometimes deeply. But the more we can laugh at it, the more we can shift our perspective of Rejeciton and spark some joy in the process. By seeing the humor in rejection, we remind ourselves that it’s not a personal attack but just a part of the process. We can use it to grow, pivot, and try again. Humor helps us reframe rejection from something to fear into something to learn from and maybe even enjoy.
So, the next time Rejection crashes your party—whether she’s a mime, a clown, or just a vague sense of “not enough”—try laughing at her. Let her stumble through her routine and drop all the emotions she wants. You’re in control, and your sense of humor will help you navigate whatever gifts she’s brought along.
Takeaways:
Humor Takes the Edge Off: Rejection can sting, but adding a little laughter to the mix can make it easier to handle. Sometimes, you’ve just got to laugh at the absurdity of life’s curveballs.
Personifying Rejection Helps: Giving Rejection a face (or, in my case, a Mime) allows us to recognize it when it shows up and take control of how we engage with it.
Laughter Leads to Growth: By laughing in the face of rejection, we reframe the experience. Instead of something to fear, Rejection becomes a stepping stone toward growth and resilience.
Celebrate the “No”: What if laughing at rejection was a form of celebration? Each “no” brings you closer to the right “yes”—and that’s worth a chuckle or two.
Let’s get comfortable with Rejection, celebrate the risks we take, and build resilience one "no" at a time. Ready to shift how you see Rejection and make it part of your success story?
You can book me to lead my Falling Full Out workshop for your company or choose to work with me one-on-one through regular coaching to get the personalized support you need. Let's turn those setbacks into breakthroughs—together!
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Rejection hurts, but what if you could laugh at it instead? Humor doesn’t erase the sting, but it sure takes the edge off. 💡
In my latest blog, I share why personifying Rejection as a clumsy mime helps me reclaim my power. By giving Rejection a face (or a hot mess personality), I can laugh at her awkwardness instead of letting her knock me down.
🎭 Here’s why humor is a game-changer:
🤣 It shifts Rejection from something to fear into something to manage.
💡 It reminds us Rejection is about the offer, not our worth.
🎉 Every “no” gets us closer to the right “yes.”
💬 When was the last time you laughed at Rejection? Share your best rejection story—I’m ready for the belly laughs!
Ready to laugh your way through Rejection and build resilience along the way? Let’s work together. Check out my Falling Full Out workshop or book a complimentary coaching call today! 🔗
