Rejection is a feeling that most of us have experienced and we can agree it is an uncomfortable one. It is one of those feelings that we don’t share on a daily basis. For instance, if someone asks us how we are feeling today, we probably will not respond with “I feel rejected”. Most of us do not respond with a negative emotion because we are frequently told that these feelings are weak.

These feelings (rejection, sadness, loneliness, anger, frustration, exhaustion etc.) are not weak.

We must experience these emotions because they are just as important. Suppressing emotion only creates more damage and puts us in a worse state. They are messages telling us when we are not okay with a certain situation or if someone is treating us poorly.

Jia Jiang shares his experience with rejection and has a great TedTalk about overcoming this emotion. He explains how he initially viewed this feeling and how he was able to change his perspective by asking questions instead of giving up on self. His approach can be used in any situation that we feel unheard or told “no”.

Take some time to view this video for yourself if you experience feelings of shame or rejection. Jia taught himself how to desensitize from his underlying negative emotions. Desensitization is a way to free yourself from a fear and has a high success rate.

A clear understanding of negative emotions dismisses them. -Vernon Howard