Rejection Perspective — At Least It's Not Costa Rica
- Tanesha Moody
- Aug 23
- 4 min read
Rejection Perspective — At Least It's Not Costa Rica
We’ve been on a journey of building the skills, mindset, and resilience to prepare for rejection so we can face it with grace and efficiency. Every rejection—big or small—holds lessons if we’re willing to dig in, reflect, and grow from the experience.
Lessons From a Cat
If anyone has mastered the art of rejection, it’s cats. My cat, Kiwi, rejects me daily—with a halo of indifference perched perfectly above his furry little head. Ignore his name? Check. Reject the food he demanded five minutes ago? Double-check. And yet, I love this little furball with every fiber of my being. Kiwi has rejection down to a science. Yet, as his loyal human, I don’t take it personally. Why? Because Kiwi and I are growing together.
Cats teach us that rejection is just part of the relationship and the continuous offers we put into them, not a reflection of our worth. It’s a reminder to let go, adapt, and keep showing up for the things (and creatures) we love.
The Growth Hidden in Rejection
Every rejection carries a lesson. It’s not just about what happened but how we navigated it:
What helped us move through the emotions quickly?
What tools or perspectives made the rejection sting less?
How did we turn the disappointment into a stepping stone?
When we pause to reflect, we uncover insights about ourselves and the world around us to prepare us for what’s next.
Facing "Costa Rica"
Everyone has a defining rejection moment—the one that sticks, stings, and shapes you. Mine is a story I call “Costa Rica.”
During a Spanish immersion program in Heredia, I was excited to embrace the local nightlife. Dressed up and ready to dance, my friend Kelli and I walked into a vibrant club with high hopes. The music was infectious, the energy electric and the potential seemed endless.
And then... nothing.
No one asked us to dance.
Song after song, dance after dance, we stood on the sidelines. It wasn’t just rejection but exclusion, a clear, quiet message that we didn’t belong.
The rejection hurt deeply. But instead of letting it break me, I turned it into fuel. When I returned to the States, I signed up for every Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue class I could find. That rejection transformed me into a dedicated dancer—and I haven’t stopped since.
“Costa Rica” is my benchmark. Every rejection since gets measured against it. If I can navigate a rejection experience that felt like being erased, I know I can handle anything else that comes my way.
Perspective: The Gift of Rejection
Not every rejection is “Costa Rica.” Some rejections are mere blips—a job email that doesn’t pan out or a missed opportunity that barely registers. Others leave a lasting mark.
Even the worst rejections bring gifts. They teach us resilience, reveal our strengths, and often push us in directions we never would have explored otherwise.
Practical Steps to Learn From Rejection
Identify Your "Costa Rica" Moment: Think back to your most impactful rejection. What made it so challenging? How did you navigate it? Recognizing your toughest rejection provides a benchmark for future challenges.
Reflect on the Tools You Used: What helped you cope? Did you lean on a support system, journal, or dive into a passion? Identifying these tools gives you a roadmap for handling future rejections.
Put Rejections Into Perspective: Not every rejection is life-altering. Categorizing rejections—from minor (a job email) to major (“Costa Rica”)—helps you prioritize your emotional energy and response.
Mine the Lessons: Every rejection holds a lesson. What did you learn about yourself, your offer, or the situation? How can you apply that knowledge moving forward?
Turn Rejection Into Motivation: Let rejection inspire and fuel your growth. Whether mastering a skill, refining your approach, or building resilience, use the sting of “no” as a catalyst for transformation.
From Cats to Confidence
Rejections don’t define us—they refine us. Like Kiwi rejecting his food bowl for the fourth time in a day, each “no” we face is an opportunity to grow, adapt, and show up better prepared for what’s next.
As we learn from our toughest rejections, we build a foundation of resilience and confidence. We remind ourselves that we’ve been here before, we’ve navigated it before, and we’ll do it again.
Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This
Rejection is inevitable, but so is growth. With every “no,” we gain clarity, strength, and a deeper understanding of ourselves.
The next time rejection knocks, take a deep breath, lean on the lessons you’ve learned, and remind yourself: “It’s not Costa Rica.”
What’s your “Costa Rica” moment? How did it shape you? Let’s share our stories and support each other in the comments. 😊
Rejection Perspective — At Least It's Not Costa Rica
<!-- LinkedInContent: <span class="hidden-content">🚪</span> Rejection knocking again? Been there.
But here's the thing—every rejection hides a lesson, waiting to shape you into something stronger, braver, and better. 💪
In my latest blog, "Rejection Perspective — At Least It's Not Costa Rica," I’m sharing how even the toughest “no’s” (yes, looking at you, Costa Rica 💃🏾) can:
<span class="hidden-content">✨</span> Teach us resilience.
<span class="hidden-content">✨</span> Provide clarity.
<span class="hidden-content">✨</span> Push us toward unexpected growth.
Not every rejection will change your life, but some might fuel you to dance twice a week (true story, and yes, it involves Costa Rica). 💃🏾
If rejection feels like a wall, let’s learn to climb it together.
<span class="hidden-content">👉</span> Read the blog and share your “Costa Rica” moment—what’s the rejection that shaped you? Let’s turn the “no’s” into stepping stones for the next “yes.” 💡✨
