Rejected by Your Ride-or-Dies? Here’s How to Handle It Like a Pro

Tanesha Moody
May 21
4 min read

Rejected by Your Ride-or-Dies? Here’s How to Handle It Like a Pro

Rejection experiences can feel as challenging as an episode of Survivor. However, when they hit from those closest to us, we suddenly became contestants on the show instead of watchers. Now, instead of the safety of our couch, we’re in the middle of navigating cuts and bruises that came from an interaction within our personal relationships, potentially reshaping how we see ourselves and them. Romantic partners, family members, and lifelong friends are the people we trust most. So when rejection sneaks into these relationships, it’s not just painful—it’s disorienting. It can leave us questioning everything: ourselves, them, and the connection we thought was solid.

I’ve noticed that every personal relationship has a natural ebb and flow of acceptance and rejection, especially since we’re constantly putting offers on the line with relationships we have invested ourselves into. Whether it’s a physical embrace or a text about happy hour, rejection experiences are constant stings after we’ve put ourselves out there. It’s not just the rejection of the moment—it’s the fear that maybe it’s a rejection of us. And in personal relationships, those fears can last longer than we’d like.

Romantic Rejections:

Rejection in romantic relationships has a way of feeling extra personal, though. Remember the movie Enough with JLo? (Yes, we’re going there!) That scene where her husband coldly rejects her offer to join him in the shower? There she was, vulnerable, open, and quite literally naked, only to be met with a firm “No.” If rejection can happen to JLo, what makes the rest of us think we’re immune?

It doesn’t always have to be a dramatic movie moment, though. Romantic rejections can be as small as a partner shrugging off a cuddle or rolling their eyes at our planned date night. Over time, these moments can add up, leaving us questioning the depth of our connection or the value of our efforts.

Family Rejections:

Family rejections hit differently. Maybe it’s because these people have seen us through every awkward phase and celebrated every milestone, yet they still make us feel like the odd one out sometimes.

Picture this: you show up to Thanksgiving with a new dish you’re proud of—maybe a gourmet baked mac and cheese. You’re excited to share it with everyone, only to hear a dismissive “Oh, we don’t need that from you.” Awkward. Sure, they might’ve done you a favor (because, let’s be honest, Auntie’s recipe will make yours look bad), but in that moment, it feels like more than just rejecting a dish—it feels like dismissing you.

Friendship Rejections:

Family rejection experiences happen around the dinner table or outside, like feeling excluded from important decisions. They occur in our friendships, too. It might not be a dramatic fallout or a heated argument. Instead, it’s a text that goes unanswered, plans that keep getting canceled, or the realization that we weren’t invited to that group hangout everyone’s talking about.

Friendship rejections can feel uniquely isolating because they often lack closure. Instead of a clear “no,” we’re left wondering what went wrong and if we did something to cause the distance.

Why Rejection From Loved Ones Hurts More:

I’m always curious why the same rejection of our offers from strangers hurts less than the same “No” received from our families and friends. I think it points back to the fact that these relationships are established on trust, love, and the belief that these people will always have our backs. However, a rejection can temporarily shake these foundations, making us feel vulnerable.

Still, rejection in these relationships we hold closest to us isn’t a dismissal of us as a person. It’s simply a response to what we put out on the table.

How to Navigate Personal Rejections:

Here’s what I’ve learned:

Acknowledge Your Feelings: Rejection hurts, and It’s okay to feel and admit that pain. Take a moment to sit with it and name it without judgment.
Separate the Offer From the Person: Just like micro rejections, remember that the “no” is about the offer, not about who you are as a person. Whether it’s a shower invitation, a mac and cheese dish, or a heartfelt text, it’s the action offer or moment being rejected—not you.
Communicate Openly: If the rejection is causing tension, have an honest conversation: “I felt hurt when [X] happened. Can we talk about it?” Approaching the discussion with curiosity rather than blame can open the door to understanding.
Adjust Expectations: Relationships are dynamic, and sometimes, we need to recalibrate our expectations. That doesn’t mean settling for less but finding a balance that works for both sides.
Focus on the Bigger Picture: One rejection doesn’t define a relationship. Look at the bigger picture. Is this person consistently supportive and loving? If so, this moment might just be a small blip in an otherwise strong connection.

A Final Thought

Rejection is inevitable in every romantic, familial, and platonic relationship. But it doesn’t have to break us or our bonds. By recognizing that rejection is about a moment and offer, not the person, and approaching it with empathy and understanding, we can navigate these experiences gracefully. When we learn to separate rejection from our sense of worth and approach it with empathy and understanding, we create space to grow stronger together.

So, what’s a moment of rejection you’ve experienced in a personal relationship? How did you handle it? Let’s start the conversation—even in rejection, we’re not alone.

https://www.taneshalmoody.com/coaching

Rejected by Your Ride-or-Dies? Here’s How to Handle It Like a Pro

<!-- LinkedInContent: 💔 Rejected by Your Ride-or-Dies? Here’s How to Handle It Like a Pro 💔

Rejection from loved ones hits differently. Whether it’s a canceled plan, an unanswered text, or a dismissive comment at Thanksgiving, these moments sting because they come from the people we trust most.

But here’s the thing: rejection isn’t about *you*. It’s about the moment, the offer, or the context—not your worth. 💡

In my latest blog, I share how to navigate personal rejections with empathy and grace:

❤️ Feel the sting but don’t let it linger.

💬 Communicate openly to rebuild trust.

🔍 Focus on the bigger picture in the relationship.

💬 Have you ever felt rejected by someone close? How did you handle it? Let’s start the conversation.

Read the full blog below. 🔗

#RejectionIsGrowth #LiveFullOut #FullOutCoaching #Resilience #MindsetShift #Relationships -->

Rejected by Your Ride-or-Dies? Here’s How to Handle It Like a Pro