mixed up monday: rejection injection
Acknowledging that rejection is a part of life doesn’t mean having it rear its ugly head hurts any less.
As an artist, there’s nothing like having the “r” word smack down something that’s bubbled up from the most powerful yet vulnerable recesses of your being — the place where your conscious, observing mind intersects with the soulful magic of your creative self.
Even in my most stiff upper lip, “don’t-forget-how-many-times-Kathryn-Stockett-was-rejected-before-The Help-was-finally-published” moments, a simple fact remains . . . rejection stings.
What if there was a way to soften the blow? Enter The Rejection Generator, a free service that rejects writers before editors even look at their submissions. The website generously offers ”several flavors of pre-rejection. Each is painful and discouraging in its own way.”
Based on psychological research, the premise is a simple one: When a person experiences pain, he or she is less afraid of it in the future.
So, it stands to reason that no matter who we are or what we do, “pre-rejection” has the potential to boost our rejection immunity so we can navigate through life without diluting our fearless focus to create, connect and live our best lives.
Here’s how I got shot down by “The Thumper,” my rejection flavor of choice:
Dear Writer,
Apparently it wasn’t enough to waste your own time.
The Editors
The harsh yet hilarious simplicity of this message not only made me smile, it inspired this week’s Spotify playlist: rejection injection.
And who knows? Maybe the next time I get a post-pre-rejection rejection, it’ll be easier to brush myself off and keep moving forward.
mixed up monday: rejection injection
Chumbawamba – Tubthumping
Citizen King – Better Days
Beck – Loser
The Black Keys – She’s Long Gone
Everlast – What It’s Like
Elvis Costello & The Attractions – I Can’t Stand Up For Falling Down
Scandal – Goodbye To You featuring Patty Smyth
Paul Simon – 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
Coldplay – Fix You
Travis – Why Does It Always Rain On Me?
Daryl Hall And John Oates – She’s Gone
Lyle Lovett – L.A. County
Dave Matthews Band – Grace Is Gone
J. Geils Band – Love Stinks
Everclear – Father Of Mine