A few years ago, my partner and I were looking for a place to rent. We saw one apartment that was beautiful—spacious, with polished wooden floors that felt like a ballet studio. It had two bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling mirrors in the bedrooms, was perfectly located, and exactly within our budget. Yet when we left, we both agreed not to apply. “There’ll be loads of interest,” one of us said. “So what’s the point?” We decided the flat was too good for us. We didn’t want to be rejected.
That choice wasn’t life-changing, but I’ve often seen it as an allegory for my relationship with rejection. How many opportunities have I let pass because I was afraid of that little word “no”? How many times have I talked myself out of possibilities because I didn’t feel good enough? And what’s so scary about rejection anyway? It’s just “no”—not a beheading. Sometimes, of course, it’s a “yes.”
Between Christmas and New Year, my TikTok feed filled up with videos about “seeking rejection.” Why would anyone do that? I wondered, scrolling mindlessly. Wouldn’t it just make you feel awful? But I grew intrigued. One woman, Gabriella, spent a year trying to be rejected 1,000 times. Along the way, she got quite a few surprising yesses—like being accepted into a national pageant and gaining Dutch citizenship. “Let this be your sign,” she said. “Chase rejection.”
Others followed. One woman, Henrietta, shared, “In 2026, I’m trying to get rejected 1,000 times. I’m so scared of failure and rejection that a lot of times I don’t put myself out there.” Another, Leila, asked a stranger to share dessert—and they ended up sharing Nutella cookies together. Part of me finds this all a bit too influencer-y, a bit late-stage capitalism. But there’s a lesson in there: the more you ask, the more you experience. It’s basic math.
Seeking rejection isn’t new, though it’s having a moment. Jia Jiang built a career on it, with books like Rejection Proof and a popular TED Talk. Part of me resists turning life into a game for success—not everything has to be about “maximizing gains.” But you can take an idea in small doses. Maybe I don’t need to seek a million rejections, but putting myself out there more often can only help. What’s the worst that can happen? Hearing “no”?
Recently, I found myself in a similar situation to that apartment years ago—except this place was way over budget. Still, I reminded myself I was seeking rejection this year. It didn’t matter if something seemed out of my league. That was the point. “I’ll take it,” I said, offering well under the asking price. And this time, it was a yes.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Embracing Rejection This Year
Getting Started Core Concepts
Q What does embracing rejection even mean
A It means actively changing your mindset to see rejection not as a personal failure but as a normal valuable part of learning and growth Its about seeking feedback and trying things even when you might get a no
Q Isnt this just about getting used to being disappointed
A Not at all Its the opposite of passive acceptance Its about being proactiveseeking out opportunities where rejection is possible because you know the attempt itself has value regardless of the outcome
Q Why would anyone want to be rejected
A The goal isnt the rejection itself The goal is to pursue things you want without letting the fear of no stop you Rejection becomes a sign that youre pushing your boundaries and taking worthwhile risks
Benefits Mindset Shifts
Q Whats the main benefit of doing this
A It builds resilience and reduces the paralyzing fear of failure Youll become more confident learn faster from feedback and unlock opportunities you would have avoided before
Q How can rejection possibly be a good thing
A Every no contains data It can clarify your direction highlight areas for improvement or simply tell you that a particular path isnt right for you saving you time in the long run
Q Wont this make me seem desperate or annoying to others
A When done with respect and professionalism it makes you seem courageous and driven People admire those who have the grit to put themselves out there Its about thoughtful pursuit not pestering
Common Challenges Problems
Q How do I handle the sting of rejection when it happens
A Acknowledge the feeling brieflyits normal Then quickly shift to a learning mindset What can I take from this Separate the rejection of an idea or request from rejection of you as a person
Q What if I get rejected over and over again
A This is a key moment Consistent rejection in one area is critical feedback It may mean you need to adjust your approach improve your skills or pivot your goal Analyze the pattern instead of just enduring it