Treat emotional wounds like rejection, failure, or loneliness with the same urgency as physical cuts or burns, as delaying treatment can lead to long-term psychological harm.
Counter the natural tendency to beat yourself up with negative self-talk when your self-esteem is low after rejection; instead, exhibit self-compassion to avoid worsening emotional wounds.
To counteract negative self-talk after rejection, make an exhaustive list of your real qualities (not aspirational ones) and write paragraphs about why one of these qualities is meaningful and how you’ve demonstrated it.
Fight the urge to withdraw and instead reach out to your social group to reconnect, reminding yourself that you belong and are appreciated, which serves as an ‘amazing tonic’ for rejection pain.
When direct social support isn’t possible, ease ‘social hunger’ by practicing ‘social snacking,’ such as surrounding yourself with pictures and mementos of loved ones to feel connected.
When rejected, reframe the experience by realizing they are rejecting a specific aspect (e.g., an application) rather than your entire self, allowing you to focus on improvable elements.
Do not numb emotional pain with substances like sugar or alcohol, as these only provide temporary relief and do not solve the underlying emotional issue, leaving you still in pain the next day.
Do not take over-the-counter painkillers like Tylenol or aspirin to ease emotional pain from rejection, as this is dangerous and can be toxic.
If you are hurting badly, consider going to church or seeking spiritual comfort, as suggested by Tim’s father during a difficult time.
When experiencing shock or intense distress, go for a walk by yourself to process your feelings and gain solitude.