Rejection is Redirection

What doesn’t choose you wasn’t meant for you.

by Camie Devlin ★ APRIL 14th, 2026

Photo Credit: Lizzie Furlong

Rejection is inevitable, and it’s never something that feels good. It has happened to all of us, whether it's not getting a job after an interview, a crush who didn’t feel the same way or feeling excluded from a group. It can be difficult to think positively when something we wanted doesn’t work out. 

There was a point in my life where I feared rejection, so I held back on trying new things or putting myself out there. I started to feel pessimistic about the future. Rejection left me feeling exhausted, inadequate and less optimistic about myself.  

Until I came across an Instagram post that helped me shift my perspective on rejection. The slideshow, which began with the phrase, “Maybe it didn’t work…” made me realize that the things that want me are the ones meant for me. 

The Unknown

My mother would tell me this quote: “The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.” It reminded me that rejection isn’t a setback; it’s a redirection, and that not every opportunity or person is right for me. We tend to forget that the unknown stands in the way of something we don’t have because we envy others who do. This mindset encouraged me to move stronger in life by recognizing that rejection is not a failure. 

Reframing Rejection: Reminders to Keep in Mind

• It’s okay to feel disappointed, but acknowledge your emotions without harsh judgment because rejection isn’t a reflection of your worth.

• Be proud of what you have already accomplished, instead of constantly longing for more. 

• Remember that it’s a universal human experience. Everybody goes through rejection at least once in their life and has found ways to bounce back from it. 

• Lastly, take time for yourself by doing some self-care and reflection. Work on exceeding 

for yourself, not for others. 

Moving Forward

That’s when your goals should enter the picture. Erase what you want specifically, and focus on what you want in broader terms. Allow yourself to find opportunities that are naturally drawn to you and complement your needs. Those opportunities that come at the right time in your life, unlike when you feel like you’re constantly forcing them. 

As Kendall Jenner stated, “I don’t chase, I attract.”

Edited by: Ava Robbins