Rejection sucks and if you are lucky enough to clock at least 20 years of this thing called ‘life,’ chances are you will experience it at least once. Unrequited love, lust or something in between the two can be devastating, but it is important that you are able to handle romantic disappointment with grace. If not for the sake of your repuation, then for the (far more important) reason of your sanity!
Here are five ways in which you can save face (and pain) in the face of rejection:
1) Early Acceptance: While there are some ladies and gents in these streets who will play with your emotions like a kitten does yarn, more often than not you will find that people either show you or tell you how they really feel. When the ‘just not that into you’ flag is flying, don’t attempt to lower it down. Don’t ask one hundred and one silly questions and don’t delude yourself into thinking that an offer of platonic friendship is your back door entry into romantic territory. Be prideful…excessively so, if you can. Hold your head and don’t beg, plead or stumble on your way out the door.
2) Don’t Dwell: Take a little time to acess what, if anything, you might have done to turn the person in question off, but don’t obsess over it. This assessment should be done in the spirit of going forward and preparing for the next conquest/romance…NOT in hopes of rewinding the tape and trying to get that old not-really-a-thing back.
3) Find a Lifeline: Have a friend on standby that you can call when you are tempted to call the person in question. Don’t pick the enabler friend (you know, the “Girl, he is your future husband! Don’t let the fact that he said he never wants you to call him again stand in the way of your love!” one?), pick the straight shooter who will remind you just why you had to put her on retainer in the first place.
4) Unpack The Positive: While the rejection may sting, try to find the brightest possible side of the situation. Did you learn anything from the experience? Does this free you up to mack on the new cutie across the hall? Did you at least get to see Fela during your five-week failed romance? There should be a win somewhere in there for you. If not, oh well. It’s not your loss, it’s his/hers. Repeat that about 20 times.
5) Living Well IS The Best Revenge: The only appropriate retaliation is to have a fab, happy life without this person. Thanks to Facebook and Twitter, Johnny NoLove can watch you be as fantastic as you please. And it feels good. Go flirt with new people, change up your hairstyle. There is so much more to life and romance other than one person who doesn’t want you. It may hurt, but have your moment of mourning, so you can return to morning,
