Why Rejection Is Like Being Forced to Share Your Favorite Fruit Snacks

When I was growing up, there were other children in my life and classes who just weren’t the ones I wanted to hang out with, especially when it wasn’t mandated. If I had a choice of who to sit next to or share my fruit snacks with, I’m sorry, but those individuals weren’t making the cut. First choice? Nope. Second or sixth? Still no. Let’s be real—there are still folks like this today. My go-to question, “Who all gonna be there?” is just as relevant now as it was when I was in elementary school.

Now, though, I have a choice. There were times when my mother would choose for me who I was going to hang out with. I would have parties and have to invite everyone in the class, although I only liked three and a half people. She would suggest who I should spend my time with when I got older, using a slightly less hands-on approach to indicate that I was maturing and could make my own decisions. And now, she straight up says when she doesn’t like someone in my circle or when she does. Goodness times are different now.

On the topic of friendship, however, there’s a buddy we could be missing out on, the one who we all avoid– Rejection. Yes, we should buddy up next to rejection and let them into the clique, posse, gang, or whatever. Rejection doesn’t have to be our sworn enemy of the playground. Contrary to our instincts, which push us to avoid rejection at all costs, I believe we should be open to embracing it as part of our social and emotional journey. Rejection could actually be an unexpected ally if we let them hang around.

Rejection doesn’t have to be a Bestie, just that one person who you’re sometimes forced to invite to the party because they are dating your bestie or because they’ve been on the fringe of your friend group for so long. That means making it so Rejection has a seat at the table when (not if) it shows up. If we were to look at Rejection as something that is just going to be there regardless, we might be able to build up some immunity to the things that come with rejection. Acknowledging this fact can help reduce the emotional impact that rejection tends to have on us.

When facing rejection, it's important to reframe the experience. Rather than dwelling on the “no” or the missed opportunity, we can ask ourselves, “What’s this teaching me? What can I learn from this?” It’s not about what went wrong; it’s about adjusting our expectations, approach, or timing. Additionally, deliberately subject ourselves to smaller rejections, such as requesting a discount or favor. Getting used to those small rejections builds up our resilience for when the big ones come around.

By keeping a record of the positive outcomes that emerged from rejections, we can gradually shift our perspective towards seeing rejection as a stepping stone to success. That job you didn’t get that led to a dream offer or that “no” that eventually turned into a “yes.”

Surrounding ourselves with individuals, like a Coach, who view rejection as a catalyst for growth rather than a mark of failure can also help us build a healthier relationship with rejection.

And here’s the final takeaway—when Rejection happens, celebrate it. Yup, celebrate. Why? Because we put ourselves out there, and that’s a huge win all by itself. Every time we step out of our comfort zone, we grow, and that’s something worth toasting.

Takeaways:

Rejection is Inevitable: Just like there were people we didn’t want to share our fruit snacks with as kids, Rejection is something we won’t always want, but it’s going to show up. Accepting this reduces its emotional sting.
We Choose How to Handle It: Just like choosing our circle as adults, we have the power to decide how we respond to Rejection. It doesn’t have to be an enemy; instead, it can become a neutral—or even helpful—presence.
Build Rejection Immunity: By letting Rejection "sit at the table," we build resilience. The more we invite Rejection into our lives, the less it will derail us when it inevitably arrives.

Practical Steps:

Reframe the Experience: The next time we face Rejection, let’s ask, “What can I learn from this?” Instead of focusing on the door that closed, let’s explore what it reveals about our approach, expectations, or timing.
Gradual Exposure: Start intentionally inviting smaller rejections into our lives. For example, ask for something we’re not sure we’ll get, like a discount or favor. Doing this allows us to practice handling Rejection in low-stakes situations.
Track Wins from Rejection: Keep a journal or log where we track what rejections lead to. Maybe we didn’t get that job, but a better offer came along. Over time, this will shift our mindset toward seeing Rejection as a part of the path to success.
Shift Our Circle: Let’s surround ourselves with people who normalize Rejection and see it as a tool for growth rather than a mark of failure. Whether through professional groups or personal connections, this helps us build a healthier relationship with Rejection.
Celebrate Rejection: When Rejection happens, let’s take a moment to acknowledge that we stepped out of our comfort zone. Celebrate that we put ourselves out there—because that’s a victory in itself.

Rejection doesn’t have to be the bad guy in our story. By shifting our perspective, we can embrace Rejection as a tool for growth, resilience, and opportunity. Each time we allow it to "sit at the table," we make space for it to teach, stretch, and push us toward something even better. And when it shows up again—and it will—we’ll be ready, knowing that it's not the end of the road but just a detour on our journey to success.

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!

https://www.taneshalmoody.com/coaching

<!-- LinkedInContent: 🍎 Why Rejection Is Like Being Forced to Share Your Favorite Fruit Snacks 🍎

Rejection isn’t fun—just like sharing your favorite fruit snacks with someone you’d rather avoid. 🍇 But here’s the twist: what if we treated Rejection as an unexpected ally instead of a playground bully?

In my latest blog, I explore how letting Rejection “sit at the table” can help us build resilience and uncover new opportunities:

🛠️ Reframe Rejection as a tool for growth, not failure.

📊 Track what “nos” lead to unexpected wins.

🎉 Celebrate Rejection for what it teaches us.

💬 What’s one surprising outcome you’ve experienced after a rejection? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

Ready to make Rejection your ally? Book a Falling Full Out workshop or schedule a one-on-one coaching session to learn how to embrace Rejection as part of your success story. 🔗

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

Why Rejection Is Like Being Forced to Share Your Favorite Fruit Snacks