Dealing with rejection is a universal experience. I personally think it’s one that can be deeply painful. It can shake our confidence, trigger feelings deep down inside us, and even lead us to question our worth. But as I am learning through my personal story below.
The Power of Greeting and Dealing with Rejection as an Uber driver:
I’ve had the privilege of meeting thousands of passengers from all walks of life. I drive Uber full-time in San Diego, California. Trust me, each interaction is unique, and each passenger brings their own energy into my 2021 Toyota Highlander. One practice I’ve adopted is greeting each passenger with a warm “As-Salamu Alaikum,” a Muslim greeting that translates to “Peace be upon you.” lol, just kidding. I just say hello and make eye contact. Eyes are the secret to our souls.
Lets not get distracted, not every passenger responds in kindness:
Sometimes they’re preoccupied, sometimes they’re not in the mood for conversation, and sometimes, they simply don’t reciprocate the greeting. It’s all good as we have to learn not to judge others and start to look at ourselves. Initially, these instances were felt in my heart and mind and it stung. They felt like rejections, triggering feelings of inadequacy and discomfort. But over time, I’ve learned to navigate these moments with grace and understanding, effectively dealing with rejection. Love is real, everything else is false. Think about that and feel it.
Embracing Rejection is the key to dealing with rejection:
I’ve found, is not to avoid it, but to embrace it. Each instance of perceived rejection is an opportunity for growth and self-reflection. It’s a chance to examine our reactions, understand our feelings, and ultimately, to heal. Think of it like a compass. That’s right, your heart is your radar like a compass for your feelings.
When a passenger doesn’t return my greeting?
I no longer take it as personal. Let me give you one small story where I learned about taking things personally. I picked up a passenger in Pasadena, CA. He was an Indian passenger with a thick accent. And he kept telling me which lane to go into, how to drive. I was dealing with traffic. I was dealing with stress. And I think I was a little bit down that day. And at some point I was like, bro, let me drive. I’ll get you where you want to go. And he’s like, oh, you’re taking it personalI? I was like, I don’t know what you mean by that, but you need to be quiet and let me drive, because you keep telling me where to go. I’m not able to drive and it is making it difficult for me. So can you please give me 5 minutes and I’ll get you there. Let me follow the navigation. Maybe it’s right. Maybe it’s wrong. Anyhow, my point is, I see it as a reflection of my mind or state of mind. Maybe they’re having a bad day, maybe they’re preoccupied with their thoughts, or maybe they just prefer silence. Or it can just be me, I am off today. Whatever the reason, it’s not a reflection of my worth or value.The long story short try not to judge others, but instead look within and see where you are and why are you taking this particular situation personally?
Personal Growth and Self-Care:
Tools for Dealing with Rejection my journey with rejection hasn’t been easy. It’s been a process of self-discovery, self-improvement, and self-care. Basically, I’ve learned to stay in the present moment and stay balanced all day, if possible, and between all Uber passenger rides.I’ve made conscious efforts to avoid harmful habits like alcohol and smoking, which I used to rely on for temporary relief from feelings of rejection and inadequacy.That lesson I learned from a last girlfriend, where she basically taught me, you drink, to enjoy not to get away from pain.
I’ve learned to sit with my feelings, to understand them, and to let them pass naturally. I’ve learned that it’s okay to feel uncomfortable, and that these feelings don’t define me. They’re just feelings, and like all feelings, they’re temporary. This approach has been instrumental in my process of dealing with rejection.If I feel it, I take a breath. I come in the present moment, and I’ll tell you, 99% of the timeI’m good.Try it. Let me know what you think.
Conclusion:
Dealing with rejection is a journey, not a destination. Meaning create a habit tracker and it’s time to check yourself. It’s a process of learning, growing, and healing. It’s about understanding our feelings, questioning our reactions, and ultimately, learning to love and accept ourselves, regardless of how others respond to us. Something you work on at every moment and with every new interaction. Remember, rejection doesn’t define you. You are not your feelings, and you are not the sum of others’ perceptions of you. You are you, and that’s enough. Just imagine how much you can grow when you don’t feel certain things? They just tap you vs a knockout punch.
