#30: Rejection stings less when you channel your inner toddler

The Academic Imperfectionist

The Academic Imperfectionist
#30: Rejection stings less when you channel your inner toddler
Feb 18, 2022 Episode 30
Rebecca Roache

Rejection stings - literally (kind of). But you can make it sting a bit less. Part of what makes it so hard is that we're so keen on kicking ourselves when we're down. We don't even realise we're doing it, let alone how to stop. Your imperfect friend is here to sort that shit out.

You're going to learn:

  1. What makes rejection so hard
  2. How we make it even harder for ourselves
  3. Why toddlers are your new rejection-resistant role models
  4. A simple mental hack to help stop your inner critic going into overdrive when rejection strikes


References:

Eisenberger NI, Lieberman MD, Williams KD. Does rejection hurt? An FMRI study of social exclusion. Science. 2003 Oct 10;302(5643):290-2. doi: 10.1126/science.1089134. PMID: 14551436.

Guy Winch's TED talk on emotional first aid: https://youtu.be/F2hc2FLOdhI