Listen to the audio version of this post on the Business By Intuition Podcast

Facing rejection hurts. It stings even more when you’re highly sensitive or healing from past trauma or people-pleasing tendencies.

If you feel rejected by a peer, client, or someone in your industry and you’re not sure how to move past it, here are a few reframes that have helped me get through it so it doesn’t keep you stuck in your business.

Rejection is a part of life. It hurts, but it happens. Taking rejection personally isn't healthy, as you only hurt yourself when you let the rejection get to you.

Maybe someone just told you “no”. Or someone unsubscribed. Possibly someone commented on your looks on YouTube, and you’ve sworn off doing video. Perhaps a potential new client rejected your amazing offer when you were sure they were the perfect fit.

Whatever the rejection was, if it’s stopping you from moving forward, hopefully, you’ll find the encouragement you need in this post to get going again.

This content has been condensed from its original audio in episode 14 of the Business By Intuition Podcast. If you prefer to listen to the full show and hear about my experience with rejection, tune in on either Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

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01. Rejection is protection

It might be hard to see that the rejection you’ve experienced is protecting you from a situation or person that isn't right for you. Maybe if you got the opportunity you thought you wanted or you enrolled that new client, it’s possible it could have led you to deep dissatisfaction in your life or business.

Ask yourself:

How may the rejection you feel be protecting you from your highest good?
And what is it trying to redirect you toward instead?

02. Not every path is right for you

If the rejection has left you feeling pangs of depression/anxiety because something you wanted didn't work out and wasn't as perfect as you had envisioned, trust that a new path will emerge that is in greater alignment with what you want and deserve.

As you re-align with your new vision and take steps in the direction you want to go, a better path will be placed in front of you.

Instead of getting hung up on the perceived rejection or the lost opportunity, try reframing it by asking yourself:

What is it that I truly want?
What’s a better path for me?

03. Something better awaits

It's easy to think that when one door closes, that's it. There are no more doors. Maybe you’re thinking, there’s no other client, or you won’t have another chance to take this opportunity.

When one door closes; there'll always be another door. If you can’t see it, it’s right there in front of you now, or on its way. Trust that something better awaits and will arrive when you’re ready to receive it.

04. The timing isn't right

If you keep hitting roadblock after roadblock in your life or business, there’s a good chance the timing isn’t right.

Maybe you need to learn a new skill or gain more life/business experience before that opportunity is a good fit. Perhaps you need a little more time to sow seeds?

Ask yourself:

What can I do now to prepare myself for this opportunity again in the future if it still feels aligned?
What skills do I need to acquire?
Do I have the space and energy to invite this into my life right now? Or are there more pressing priorities that I need to focus on first?

05. They're not your people

Social rejection feels awful, whether it’s from a close family member or strangers on the internet. It can sting. If someone unsubscribes from your emails, unfollows you from Instagram or an internet troll leaves a nasty comment about something you’ve said or done, they’re not your people. Save your time and energy for the ones who are. It’s that simple. After seven years of having an online business, I’d rarely give any of those scenarios a second thought now.

I’ve been around long enough to know that I don’t need to “convert” anyone with my message. You follow me because my perspective resonates and you align with my vibe and energy. And if you don’t, there are thousands of others who do.

One of my favourite quotes to help summarize my thoughts on rejection:

"If you're not in the arena, getting your ass kicked on occasion, I am not interested in or open to your feedback. There are a million cheap seats in the world today filled with people who will never be brave with their own lives, but will spend every ounce of energy they have hurling advice and judgment at those of us trying to dare greatly. Their only contributions are criticism, cynicism, and fear-mongering, if you're criticizing from a place of where you're not also putting yourself on the line, I'm not interested in your feedback." — Brené Brown

Reframing Rejection So It Doesn’t Hold You Back As a Highly Sensitive Person