Rejection Advice That Makes You Roll Your Eyes—and What Actually Helps
Real talk: rejection happens to all of us. Whether it’s a declined job offer, a project that was a hot mess, or a relationship that erupted into some fiery flames, rejection is a universal experience.
Sometimes, the advice that follows a rejection experience makes it hit more.
Throughout this series, we’ve unpacked some of the most sucky rejection advice—well-meaning words from well-meaning people who often miss the mark. I am putting on my positivity hat, though, with some good news: How we respond to rejection (and the advice that comes with it) is entirely within our control.
Meet Rejection: Your Reluctant Frenemy
If rejection were a person, it’d probably show up uninvited to every significant life event, crash on your couch, and eat all your snacks. She, he, or they probably wouldn’t even bring a bottle of wine from Aldi. Rejection doesn’t knock politely; it barges in like that family member who has a key to your home and never lets you know they are on the way (Is this just me?).
Plotwist: rejection isn’t your enemy. At its best, it’s like that one honest friend who tells you when your outfit is trash. Hearing that my skinny jeans are officially out of style stings for a bit, but I know my homies have my best interest at heart. Maybe Rejection does, too.
Instead of kicking rejection out of our lives, we have the opportunity to invite it in for a chat. We get to learn what it says and use it for our growth if we want. Just like that elderly coworker who has been around the block and seen a few things, rejection is insightful and offers clarity, lessons, and sometimes an extra dose of humility when we need it the most.
Key Takeaways from the Series
“Build Tough Skin” Isn’t the Answer: Telling someone to toughen up is vague at best and harmful at worst. Authenticity and sensitivity are strengths, not weaknesses. Rejection experiences offer valuable lessons when we embrace our emotions instead of suppressing them.
“Just Get Over It” Misses the Point: Receiving a “No” is complex, not something we leap over like a puddle. It’s a journey that requires time, patience, and sometimes a little mud. Dismissing it with “just get over it” minimizes the real work it takes to navigate rejection.
“Rejection Is Just a Redirection” Oversimplifies It: While this can be true, it’s not the whole story. Receiving a rejection doesn’t always mean you were on the wrong path—it can confirm we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be.
“It Could Be Worse” Invalidates Feelings: Pain and suffering aren’t a competition. Dismissing someone’s rejection response with “it could be worse” invalidates their experience and makes them feel unheard. A simple “That really sucks. I’m here for you” goes a long way.
“They Didn’t Recognize Your Value” Isn’t Always the Story: Sometimes, rejection is about alignment—not value. If we assume that others don’t see what we offer as picture-perfect, we can miss out on reflecting, growing, and refining our approaches.
Practical Steps for Navigating Rejection
We highlighted some practical steps that help us navigate rejection experiences, including:
Pause and Reflect: Before reacting to the rejection answer or advice, take a breath. We can give ourselves the space to process what happened and how we feel.
Acknowledge our Emotions: Our feelings—whether disappointment, anger, or sadness—are valid. Name them, feel them, and let them guide our next steps.
Seek Feedback When Possible: Constructive feedback can help us grow, refine our approach, and show up even stronger next time.
Surround ourselves with Empathy: Build a support circle of people who understand that rejection isn’t just a one-and-done event. These are the people who will cheer us on as we navigate the ups and downs. We don’t have to navigate these things alone!
Reframe Rejection as an Opportunity: Every rejection holds the potential for clarity, growth, and resilience. It’s not the end of the story—it’s a chapter.
Celebrate Progress: Each obstacle we overcome—whether it’s processing emotions or seeking support—is a win.
Rejection as a Universal Connector
Rejection connects us. It’s one of the few experiences that truly transcends background, age, or circumstance. We’ve all been on the receiving side of a “No.”
If we see rejection experiences as shared, it can become less isolating when we open up about it. Rejection is not just your or my rejection; it’s our collective experience.
By honestly discussing rejection, we can deepen our connections, offer support, and foster growth—not just for ourselves but everyone around us.
How We Can Be Better for Others
Rejection isn’t just about how we handle it—it’s about showing up for others when they’re going through it.
When supporting someone through rejection, skip the clichés and focus on empathy.
Here’s how:
Say This:
“That really sucks. I’m here for you.”
“How can I support you right now?”
“What you’re feeling is completely valid.”
Avoid This:
“Just get over it.”
“It could be worse.”
“Rejection is just a redirection.”
Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is listen. We don’t need to fix their pain—just acknowledge it.
You’re in Control
Rejection doesn’t define us—it refines us. We have the power to choose how we respond to rejection, how we grow from it, and how we support others when they face it. We’ve explored that it’s possible to navigate rejection with grace, empathy, and a little humor along the way – and we don’t have to do it alone.
Final Thought
Rejection is messy, layered, and uncomfortable, but it’s also universal and necessary. Without the sucky and advice and by approaching it with curiosity, resilience, and compassion, we can transform it into a tool for growth and connection.
What’s been the most impactful lesson you’ve learned from rejection? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments.
<!-- LinkedInContent: <span class="hidden-content">🙄</span> Rejection Advice That Makes You Roll Your Eyes—and What Actually Helps <span class="hidden-content">🙄</span>
“Just get over it.” “Rejection is just a redirection.” Sound familiar?
Rejection happens to all of us, but the advice that follows can sometimes make it worse. The clichés might be well-meaning, but they often miss the mark.
In my latest blog, I break down some common rejection advice that makes us roll our eyes—and offer practical steps to actually navigate it with resilience:
<span class="hidden-content">💬</span> Acknowledge your emotions—they’re valid.
<span class="hidden-content">🔍</span> Seek constructive feedback to grow.
<span class="hidden-content">🤝</span> Surround yourself with empathy and support.
💬 What’s the worst rejection advice you’ve ever received? Let’s share, learn, and laugh about it in the comments!
Rejection doesn’t have to define us—it can refine us. Let’s turn “no” into the next big breakthrough together. Explore my coaching services or book a discovery call today. <span class="hidden-content">🔗</span>
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