This is a bit of an impromptu post. I’ve been hinting at something for a while now (I only drop hints when I’m unsure if something will happen—though I was crossing my fingers this time). Unfortunately, life doesn’t always go the way we hope, and the news I received last week wasn’t what I wanted to hear. I was super disappointed that things didn’t work out earlier (it wasn’t an all-or-nothing situation—there will be plenty more opportunities in the future), but man, rejection really stings!

“You have rejection, and you have to learn how to deal with it and how to get up the next day and go on with it.”

—Taylor Swift

The next day, I felt so bummed out and struggled to resist lashing out at everyone around me. Eventually, I got over it—writing about my thoughts and feelings helped so much. It was revitalizing! At first, I considered posting a super emo, disappointed rant, but I decided to sleep on it. I figured, maybe not now; let the emotions settle first. I’m not one to make rushed decisions, and I’m so glad I waited. Looking back, that initial reaction would have been pretty embarrassing.

It’s true what they say: time heals wounds. Soon, I was beaming with positivity, and the sting of rejection became an afterthought. At first, I’d convinced myself rejection wasn’t even an option, but reality reminded me otherwise. And like I said—it stinks! Still, this experience taught me a valuable lesson about overcoming rejection. Maybe I’ve been lucky before, and this particular outcome wasn’t meant for me now. Or perhaps God has a different plan for me. It’s not a “no”; it’s just “not yet.” That’s what I choose to believe.

Moving forward is essential in processing rejection. Getting angry for a little while is natural, but working on Plan B is what matters! Wallowing in self-pity doesn’t help—it’s time to take action. Being rejected doesn’t mean it’s final. There’s so much to do and so many other options to explore. Picking yourself up and facing the world again is hard work, but it’s also necessary. The only way to begin anew is to move forward, learn, and take the next step.

So yeah, I’ve turned that sad, semi-angry post into a reflection on growth and resilience. I’m glad I gave myself the time to process my thoughts and emotions. While I’m still a little sad, I’m no longer stuck in that dark place. I’m focused on Plan B now!

(PS: The Lonely Hearts Club has absolutely nothing to do with this post, but I thought it was a catchy title. I’m all for catchy titles that don’t necessarily match my content. Now you know!)