Letters to Myself: Entry Nine
Prompt: What has rejection taught me?
Rejection is something we all face, whether we like it or not. What matters most isn’t the rejection itself, but how we choose to respond. Each time it happens, we’re given a choice: to let it break us, or to face the reality of what comes next, and take the next step forward.
Answer to the prompt:
We all face rejection. Every single day, in big ways and small, it finds its way into our lives. No one is immune. Whether it’s with friends, potential partners, job searches, or even within our own families. Everyone has their own unique story of rejection, and everyone has to wrestle with it.
For me, rejection has been a teacher, and not always a kind one. At times, it’s felt like a constant blade scraping against my skin, reopening wounds I thought had healed. But here’s the thing: every scar has revealed a strength I didn’t know I had.
This summer, through reflection and writing, I’ve revisited some of the deepest rejections I’ve faced over the years, and even those that hit me this year alone. What I’ve learned is this: rejection doesn’t mean I’ve failed. It means I’m still trying, still reaching, still moving forward.
Rejection has taught me resilience, but more than that, it’s taught me to hold onto joy. To remember what makes me feel alive, even in moments of despair. It’s taught me that life isn’t fair. Some people will get the job you wanted, others will travel to places you’ve only dreamed of, and sometimes even those closest to you won’t understand your passions. But none of that defines your worth.
What rejection really does is sharpen your awareness. It helps you recognize when someone is trying to pressure you, guilt you, or take advantage of you. It gives you the courage to stand firm, to say: I deserve better.
And maybe most importantly, rejection has taught me patience. It’s a reminder that timing matters. That wings need to strengthen before they can carry you into the air. Not all “no’s” are meant to clip you down. Some are meant to prepare you for flight.
So I’m learning not to hate rejection, or fear it. Instead, I see it as proof that I’m alive, that I’m trying, and that I’m still writing my story. Because somewhere out there, people will see my ideas, my worth, and my time as valuable. Those are the people worth holding onto.
Until then, rejection is simply an invitation to grow.
This post is part of my "Letters to Myself" series — a weekly free-write blog where I explore personal growth, curiosity, and healing through simple prompts. Sometimes reflective, sometimes fun, but always real. Thank you for being here.
References:
Photo by Kyle Gare
