Rejection stings but the brain sometimes makes it worse....
What does the brain say VS. what it really means
Happy Fourth of July!
I’ve been building my small business for over three years. I’ve been working towards goals both big and small and trying to make something happen with my art. Along the way, I’ve participated in contests, open calls, pitching, and submissions to magazines, newsletters and more. I’ve had some wins but a LOT more rejections. Some really stung. It has gotten me down from time to time and there are some days when I felt like quitting.
BUT because I’ve learned a lot about the brain in the last few years dealing with my own mental health I have also learned that the brain tries really hard to protect us even at times to our own detriment or in a sabotaging kind of way. Think about it this way. The brain has been tried over thousands of years to keep us safe from danger, keep us with our tribes, and keep us alive. It’s a survival instinct ingrained in us from birth. In modern day society, we don’t have the same worries(I hope) of not getting eaten by animals, or getting kicked out of the tribe to fend for ourselves. But we do have other worries and problems that the survival part of our brain still reacts to and tries to protect us.
In my journey, the way my brain has reacted to rejection has been interesting to observe. I know many artists and people who are trying to chase a dream or reach a goal face these same kinds of ‘protection’ strategies and thoughts. Just because these thoughts come up it doesn’t mean you should listen to them. I know many talented people who give up too soon and believe me, I’ve felt this many times. But if you let the scared part of your brain decide your life, you will have a very hard time seeing your goals come alive.
I was recently listening to a podcast about rejection and it reminded me of the difference between the thoughts our brains have about rejection AND what they really mean. Here’s what rejection REALLY means and I hope you can think about rejection a bit differently after this.
Rejection is just a part of this journey. Being resilient and thinking through what the experience is teaching you is a much better way to combat those brain sayings that can keep you stuck or worse, convince you to give up. For me rejection has come to mean that this is simply not the path for me now and I should take a second look at my work, goals, or wording to have more success in the future. I also know that I can use my creativity to figure out what to do with a rejection and I can always, always, always try again.
Good luck with all your goals and dreams and I hope you can take a second look at rejection and use it to improve and grow!