Overcoming Rejection: Turn the Pain Into Your Superpower

Friendship Rejection: When Your Bestie Ghosts You

We like to think that rejection is just for middle school crushes or that guy who didn’t text back. But guess what? Grown-up friendships come with their own dose of rejection, too. Maybe your friend stops returning your calls, or you realize you weren’t invited to the big group hangout. Ouch.

The first thing to remember here is: **don’t take it personally**. I know, easier said than done, right? But rejection in friendships often has more to do with the other person’s life than it does with you. Maybe they’re going through a tough time, or they’ve just outgrown the friendship. It happens.

Here’s what you can do: Take a moment to check in with yourself. Are you hurt? Totally valid. Let yourself feel it. But then ask yourself: Is this friendship really the best fit for me? And if you’re still wondering why this happened, you might even want to have a brave, open conversation with your friend. Sometimes it’s a misunderstanding, and sometimes it’s not. Either way, it’s okay.

I wrote a whole article on how to make friends as an adult, which is full of practical advice on how to handle friendship breakups and build new, more fulfilling connections.

Romantic Rejection: When Love Says Goodbye

Ah, romantic rejection—the worst of them all, right? Whether it’s a breakup, a divorce, or just someone losing interest, this kind of rejection can leave you feeling crushed. I get it. When your heart is on the line, it feels personal in a way that’s hard to shake.

But here’s the thing: romantic rejection is often a *blessing in disguise*. Yeah, I know that sounds cheesy, but hear me out. When someone doesn’t want to be with you, it’s not about your worth as a person—it’s about the mismatch between what you need and what they can give. And trust me, you deserve someone who can give you what you need.

So, how do you cope? First, give yourself some compassion. Romantic rejection stings, but it’s also a chance to learn more about yourself and what you truly want in a relationship. Maybe this breakup is an opportunity to reflect on your patterns and set the stage for a *better* relationship next time. 

I have an entire collection of blog posts and podcast episodes dedicated to healing after heartbreak, and it’s packed with advice on how to not just get over a breakup but grow from it. Also, check out my free breakup recovery quiz to figure out what stage of healing you’re in and get personalized advice on what to do next.

Professional Rejection: When Work Gives You the Cold Shoulder

Last but not least, let’s talk about rejection in your career. Getting passed over for a promotion, fired from a job, or rejected after an interview can make you feel like crawling under a rock. It’s easy to let professional rejection affect your self-worth, especially if you’ve tied a lot of your identity to your work.

But here’s the kicker: professional rejection is actually an opportunity to reassess and recalibrate. Maybe that job wasn’t the right fit, or maybe you’ve just uncovered some skills that you need to sharpen. Either way, it’s all actionable feedback that you can use to get better.

Take a deep breath and remember: some of the most successful people in the world faced massive rejection before making it big. I did an entire episode on job loss and how to grow from it, and it’s all about how to turn that “no” into your next “yes.” Spoiler alert: resilience is key here, too.

If you’re still feeling stuck, check out the career counseling and coaching services we offer at Growing Self. We’re all about helping you bounce back stronger and find your path forward—no matter what setbacks you’ve faced.

Turning Rejection Into Your Superpower

At the end of the day, rejection isn’t the end of the world—it’s a redirection. Every time life says “no,” it’s giving you a chance to grow, to become more resilient, and to discover what you *really* want. Whether it’s from a friend, a romantic partner, or in your career, you can turn rejection into your greatest asset by focusing on those two pillars: resilience and growth.

So next time you’re feeling rejected, remember: you’ve got this. And if you need some extra support, I’m always here for you. You can find more articles, quizzes, and podcast episodes on these topics at growingself.com. Let’s turn rejection into your superpower together!

Until next time, take care of yourself—you deserve it.

Xoxo,

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

References:American Psychological Association. (2019). Building Your Resilience. https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience