Mind

How to overcome your fear of rejection

For many of us acceptance by others is a matter of survival because we fear rejection so deeply. But as you accommodate others, are you truly living your best life?
embarrassed woman with hands covering faceGetty Images

How many times have you heard the phrase “Just be yourself”?

It’s easier said than done in a society where conformity is the norm and letting down our walls can be scary. Our true self is who we are when we let go of all of the stories, labels, and judgments we’ve placed upon ourselves – it’s who we naturally are without hiding behind a mask.

Here are some steps to start you on the journey.

Find your inner child

If you’ve watched small children, you’ll know how little they care about what others think of them. They’re simply in the moment.

They haven’t yet been socialised to ‘fit in’ with society and don’t care if people think they’re silly while they play, dance or cartwheel around the place.

Try to connect with your inner child, drop the seriousness – just smile, have fun and enjoy the moment.

Pay attention to negative thoughts

If you pay attention to them, you may be shocked by the number of negative thoughts that run through your mind daily.

Eventually, our reality begins to take shape based on these conditioned thinking patterns.

It’s important to remember that we’ve all taken on unconscious beliefs over the years that were handed down to us from others. Process these thoughts by sitting quietly each morning for five minutes before starting your day.

Becoming more aware of the quality of your thoughts, letting go of old beliefs, and being more present can all help towards revealing your true self.

If you find yourself playing roles with different people, ask yourself, ‘How would I act right now if I didn’t care what others thought of me?’

(Credit: Getty Images)

Follow your gut

Ever ignored your intuition because you felt obligated to others?

Stayed in an unfulfilling job that made you miserable because you were afraid of what others would think if you left? Accepted invites or opportunities because you were fearful of disappointing people?

If you push yourself out of your comfort zone, follow your true values and do what you love, you’ll allow your true shelf to shine.

Tip: Write down the things you like about yourself and the things you can improve on. We can’t change others, but we can work on ourselves.

Related stories