Being a reject is one of the sh*ttest feelings in the world. Everyone craves love and attention someway, somehow:

• For our parents' validation

• Friendship groups

• At work

• From our partners/spouses

I've been rejected from all of the above points at various points in life and it’s been one of the best things that's happened to me, from a personal growth perspective.

Being overlooked and 'kicked to the curb' gives me that additional fuel. It gives me a goal! I'd hyperfocus on proving them wrong...

• I'm coming for you!

• Put some respect on my name

I admit that it probably appears 'toxic' and competitive but I'm a neurodivergent, and trauma survivor. My brain is wired differently, so I must play to my strengths.

This is what the motion looks like to me when I feel rejected:

• Stage 1: I'm lowkey rattled, crushed, and pretending to hold it together

• Stage 2: I'm calming down and processing the rejection, criticism, and feedback as rationally as I can

• Stage 3: I make the required adjustments, hyper-focusing on the feedback

This is me!

As Michael Jordan (another ADHDer) said in the last dance, he took those things personally.

The funny part...

When the people who once rejected you, now wanna “know you“ when you're doing better and winning.

You feel vindicated for the work you put in!

The feeling of rejection is not doom and gloom ‘forever’. I know what I need to do and how to channel the feeling of rejection into something productive (I hope).

Most of the entrepreneurs I'm inspired by have been rejected. One way or another they’ve managed to make something out of it.

I take this energy to work. If I've completed a piece of work and the feedback (dare I say this) is not good enough, I take offense, albeit they may not mean any harm. I take it personally!

So I go back to the drawing board and start again.

Next week we’ll talk about managing emotional regulations

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Lastly,

Stay Different,

The AuDHD Exec

Disclaimer: I am not your psychiatrist, coach, doctor. Neurodiverse Diary does not provide medical services or professional counselling and is not a substitute for professional medical care. Everything I publish represents my opinions, experience, not advice.