Sick and tired of rejection

Dear Reader, 

Being ignored or overlooked when you really want to make a connection with someone can really hurt. You're not the only one who has had this experience; it's probably happened to most people at one time or another. However, when it seems to happen over and over, it can really make you wonder why. Some evidence suggests that some people have a more difficult time with rejection than others. Repeating a mantra or other helpful phrase works for some people. Reflective exercises such as meditation and journaling may also be helpful to process your emotions to target where those thoughts are coming from in the first place. However, if you’re still having trouble with being overlooked in these social situations, you may find it helpful to speak with a mental health professional about your experiences. 

You mention feeling embarrassed and aggravated by the situations you’ve been through. Some scientists believe that recognizing rejection is an evolutionary benefit — humans have adapted the ability to read social cues to determine belonging and danger among different communities. That being said, some people are more sensitive to feeling rejection than others. People with high rejection sensitivity may be more vigilant of negative social experiences and more likely to interpret a social situation as rejection. For example, some people who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may also experience rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD). People with RSD feel intense emotional pain at the thought of experiencing rejection, and they may go out of their way to avoid social interactions where they might experience rejection. Reader, it’s natural to feel a little embarrassed and upset after experiencing what may feel like rejection. If the fear of rejection brings you distress in new social situations, you may consider speaking with a mental health professional about your concerns. 

When faced with a scenario similar to what you’ve described in your question, it may be helpful to keep in mind that not every response you get reflects on you as a person. It's possible that the people you're meeting aren't ignoring you out of meanness. Their response to you (or lack thereof) may not be about you at all. At times, people might seem uninterested when they’re distracted, stressed, or tired. It could be that you’re more attuned to perceptions of rejection — in fact, some people with high rejection sensitivity may feel more aware of and defensive in situations that they perceive as negative. If you find yourself in this situation again, you may consider taking a few seconds to pause and reflect on why this person might not be giving you their full attention. Perhaps you may be able to ask them directly — “I’ve noticed you seem kind of distracted. Is there something on your mind?” Who knows, they may appreciate the ask and start a conversation with you in the process! 

You might also consider how you’re approaching people to show interest. Before beginning a conversation, do you anticipate rejection? If so, do you think you might be sending out certain vibes that affect your ability to connect with people? It may also be the case that some people aren't picking up on what you're putting down. You might feel rejected, but they may not have even realized that you're interested. Making eye contact, asking friendly questions, and positive body language usually make it clear you're interested in getting to know them. On the flipside, some people might feel like you're coming on too strong. Do you think people might perceive you as overwhelming? If you're really working to gain approval from every person you interact with, people might sense that and feel uncomfortable or pressured. It might help to try to relax and not feel so emotionally invested in every interaction. Reflecting on these situations might be helpful in understanding your own approach to social interactions. 

If it's clear that you're interested and they’re not feeling it, some of your other ideas make sense, too. Humor can help diffuse tension, so you could try drumming up a laugh or two in the moment. Pausing to remember how awesome you know yourself to be, regardless of anyone else’s opinion, might also help. You may also consider reframing the situation: "This person doesn't seem interested in me. Maybe we don't have that much in common anyway. I'm going to move on and find other people who share my interests." Stomping on some toes may sound appealing in the moment but brushing off the disinterest and moving forward might help you get on the right foot to feeling better. Also, where you’re at and what you’re doing might have something to do with your success at meeting an interested person. Sometimes, parties or bars can add social pressures or distractions that make connecting harder. Meeting people through a club or organization, a volunteer project, or a sports team that caters to your interest might improve your chances. Doing so might give you something in common and make an interaction easier without having to battle the DJ over the volume just to have a conversation. 

Feeling rejected can really sting. Starting with a good base of support, i.e., your friends and family. This may help remind you that you’re a fantastic person, making those moments you feel rejected sting a bit less. And remember — while you might feel crummy in the moment, this too shall pass.