These days I jump from being somewhat sad and confused one moment to feeling cheerful and on top of the world the next. I recently graduated, which means that right now I am in an exiting but also difficult new phase of my life. Everything is open, which is awesome, yet also slightly scary. I am still figuring it all out; what I want to do in life, what makes me happy, in what things I would like to grow, how to make money, how to combine all these different questions realistically. There seemed to be an opportunity at one point that excited me a lot, which in the end didn’t turn out as planned. Needless to say I was disappointed. But after a short day of sulking, I realized I am going to be rejected more than once. Now more than ever. And you know what? You can’t expect all people to immediately see your qualities, run with your wild ideas, see the sparkles and opportunities behind a path the way you see them. And that’s OK. And each time when they don’t get it, or when the occasion somehow just wasn’t right and there are better things ahead of you, you should celebrate their ‘no’. Because it makes you grow stronger and learn from the situation. It tests how bad you really want something. It opens up new opportunities. And the more rejections you face, the more experienced you become as a person.
Also, being rejected is a real sign that you stepped out of your comfort zone; that you were daring to hope, daring to follow your dreams despite of the possibility of hindrances and difficulties. You should celebrate the fact that you were daring to put yourself out there.
Although I haven’t got the faintest idea of what I will be doing 3 months from now, I do know that by then, I want a lot more people to have rejected me and my ideas. Because it means I tried. So, in order to celebrate the ‘NO’s in this world as a positive sign of my personal growth, I drew a big rejection chart. And every time someone tells me ‘no’, I am allowed to color one section and celebrate the fact that I am one step closer to achieving my dreams, whatever they are concretely.
And because I figured that I might not be the only one dealing with this ‘I know this to be true but it still sucks’-feeling, I made the chart for you to grab as well. You can print it if you want to. Because anything is more fun when you put colour to it. So let’s see who gets to finish coloring the fastest ;) 
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23 Comments
Kristin
March 26, 2013 at 12:15
Ugh, I’m totally in that place too. Kind of. Post-graduate life is kind of terrifying. But I think this chart will help loads :)
Magical Day Dream
April 3, 2013 at 08:59
Good luck then for you too! We can do this! :D
suzy
March 26, 2013 at 14:30
I LOVE THIS idea. you are so fantastic. how fun.
Magical Day Dream
April 3, 2013 at 09:00
Haha thanks. I guess it is better than the alternative of sulking :)
Beckie
March 26, 2013 at 17:57
Should I tell you how much I love this? I LOVE IT! You’re always so great at making not so fun things, happy. (I still remember your pity party!) I am definitely in the same boat–but 2 years running. I’ve barely applied to jobs, and haven’t reached the interview stage at all. I just can’t seem to find anything to apply to–that I like, or that I’m even remotely qualified for. I’m confident you have the skills you need to find the perfect job for you, and I wish you nothing but luck and success in getting there!
P.S.–I’m totally going to print this out. I’ll post it to my blog when I’ve found my dream job : ]
Magical Day Dream
April 3, 2013 at 09:02
Yes my pity party was definitely the same category. And I know it is hard; I am not sure yet if there even are jobs that I would really like and that pay the bills. But step by step I do believe we will get closer to it if we try :)
Miek
March 26, 2013 at 20:09
Oooh, zo maak je rejecting opeens een stuk beter te handelen!
Hihi, alles is zeker beter met kleur!
Magical Day Dream
April 3, 2013 at 09:02
Ja! Het blijft natuurlijk moeilijk, maar net ietsje beter!
Boye By Red
March 27, 2013 at 00:55
That is a very good way to deal with rejection. Of course it is not easy to feel unwanted, but the important thing is to try. Let’s hope that very soon in the future, potential employers will see the right you.
Good luck :-)
Red xx
Magical Day Dream
April 3, 2013 at 09:03
Thank you! Things that are worthy striving for are never easy. I do hope so too!
bekswhoknits
March 27, 2013 at 02:35
good luck with it all
:)
i love that chart – i could have used that when i was unemployed straight after uni
Magical Day Dream
April 3, 2013 at 09:04
Thank you; that implies that you do have a job now, which should gives me hope ;)
Carolynn Markey
March 27, 2013 at 16:49
being rejected is hard! hugs! I love your chart!
Magical Day Dream
April 3, 2013 at 09:04
:D yay hugs. thank you!
Katherine
March 28, 2013 at 01:28
Oh my gosh, this is perfect. I think I’ll make one! I’ve been out of school for a year, and last fall I decided to apply to more grad school. I just got a “no” in the mail a few days ago, and it really hurt because I know the people doing the rejecting so well. I’ve decided to “fight” instead of “flight” this time, and I’m setting up meetings to find out why. I may be setting myself up for more disappointment, but then maybe I’ll colour another “no” :)
Maybe you should make a “Yes” chart to hang beside the “no” chart. I’m sure it would fill up at a drastically fast pace!
Magical Day Dream
April 3, 2013 at 09:06
Yes you should fight for it if you think you still have a chance! I’m not saying we should take no for an answer all the time ;) And I do love the idea of a yes chart; although I don’t want it to become a competition between the two haha. Good luck with it all!
Uvita Viruella
March 29, 2013 at 03:07
This is simply genius!
Noes can be so scary, but looking at them like challenges one is surviving makes me want to keep trying more!
Thanks for sharing this <3
Magical Day Dream
April 3, 2013 at 09:06
Good! You should never stop trying!
joyce matula welch
March 30, 2013 at 22:03
So clever! Your post is very perceptive. Wishing you the best as you continue forward :)
Magical Day Dream
April 3, 2013 at 09:07
Thank you :)
floating thru fields
April 2, 2013 at 02:35
hey there :)
I think you are already really confident and grounded in who you are and what you enjoy(making art and being involved in different activities) so that is a really big plus. I graduated almost a decade ago and though I have had highs and lows, I’m thankful for the way things have worked out even if it seemed not so great at the time. Good luck to you and don’t wait to do what you love now :)
Magical Day Dream
April 3, 2013 at 09:08
Thank you for the encouraging words :) I guess I do know what I love to do; the challenge is finding something that pays the bills that involves what I love. But I have good hope!
lesley: the dream tree
May 1, 2013 at 23:43
excellent post! this is something i totally needed to read right now, especially the part about stepping out of your comfort zone. thanks so much (: