This episode is all about a fact of life... rejection.

To begin, I discuss how the end of a significant relationship or marriage can feel like the ultimate rejection.  Sometimes these relationships end due to infidelity, growing apart, or choosing a vice over the relationship. I dive into how I experienced rejection throughout my two divorces.

Rejection can also be less significant yet it still stings.  Examples of this type of rejection are when  we flirt in person or online and it is not reciprocated.  We may be ignored after following or DMing someone.  Likewise, Dating Apps can feel like a constant source of rejection when we are not matched, ignored, or ghosted.

Sometimes we are rejected because the person we are interested in is unavailable or emotionally unavailable.  To make this point, I share a personal story from college.  I fell hard for a frat guy I was spending time with only to find out later he had a girlfriend.  Because I was young and naive (& a dumb ass) I wrote him a letter pleading for him to choose me despite my friend LaTonya's disapproval.  In the end, he ignored and rejected me.  He wasn't available!  Think about some of the rejections you've had in life.  Were some of them because the other person was in a relationship with someone else or emotionally unavailable?

One of my girlfriends experienced rejection after meeting a man who seemed to be her perfect match.  Out of nowhere, a few weeks into their budding romance, he broke things off.  He told her he was more interested in another woman.  Understandably, this rejection made my gorgeous friend doubt her physical beauty because he preferred women with big boobs and long hair.  We are all prone to self doubt when someone chooses another over us., myself included. Let's all work on being confident in our self image and not let someone else's  preferences and choices have negative impacts on our self esteem... especially when they are shallow.

Lastly, I share two rejection stories from my friends.  They are different stories but with a similar theme.  They both felt they were rejected because they didn't meet someone's social standards.  They were young but they weren't wealthy, educated, or accomplished as their suitors desired.  Their stories beg the question... Do we really want to know WHY we are rejected by someone OR is it enough to simply know that (for whatever reason) we are not what they're hoping for in a partner.

Rejection is indeed a fact of life.  We are in this together! This unique time in our lives as singles later in life is complicated! Let's support and rally around our friends as we experience rejection.