The Rejection Wound

Key Elements of the Rejection Wound

1. Core Belief

“I’m not likable, wanted, or acceptable.”
“If I show my real self, I’ll be judged or excluded.”

2. Unmet Need

💠 Acceptance and belonging for who I truly am — not for what I perform, perfect, or suppress.

3. Protective Patterns

• People-pleasing

• Hiding or censoring self

• Overperforming or over-apologizing

• Preemptive withdrawal from connection

4. Healing Pathway

• Recognize rejection-based thoughts and self-rejection habits

• Challenge the assumption that rejection is inevitable or deserved

• Offer acceptance to the parts of yourself you learned to hide

• Gather new evidence: moments of being liked, included, or respected

• Build a daily self-acceptance practice that affirms your intrinsic worth

5. Core Shift

From: 

“Others must choose me for me to feel valuable.”

To: 

“I am already valuable — and I get to choose people who reflect that truth.”