When Life Gives you Lemons, Lemonade


Is it just me or does anyone else feel like their lives at times is just one big movie? Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad, like really bad. At times it’s a comedy, then a drama, maybe a psychological thriller, a horror and somehow weirdly a foreign film 😂. 


Have you ever felt that no matter what movie is playing out at the time you feel that this somehow is the end and you didn’t even get a happy ending (no pun intended)? Well, there’s this quote that I heard on TV maybe in a movie or a show I was watching or maybe I read it on Dove Chocolate wrapper that goes like this, “If you’re not happy, then this isn’t the end.” I absolutely LOVE this quote! It’s so simple and yet full of hope and aspiration. Or at least that’s how it made me feel. 


Basically, we have the power to change our circumstances; it’s not always going to be easy, trust me I know. But if you don’t like your current financial situation or are experiencing a financial hardship you do have the power to change it. There will be times in life where you may feel backed into a corner or feel that you’ve hit rock bottom but when life gives you lemons you better make that lemonade.


A friend of mine reached out asking for what advice I’d give to someone feeling low from being rejected. So, this post will focus specifically on how to handle rejection whether it’s for a job, college admissions, a grant, or a loan; and what to do to help get you through those times when you’re feeling down.


Stop Interrupting My Grindin’


Things don’t always go as planned; getting turned down for a loan because your credit score is on the low side, not getting that grant that you applied for, finding out that you didn’t get into your school of choice or was passed over for that job you wanted. Our hopes and dreams don’t always fall neatly into place. Sometimes rejection happens and that shit hurts.


Being turned down or told no can leave you feeling helpless or inadequate. It can make you start to doubt yourself and leave you emotionally in a shitty place. I think we’ve all been there. And when you’re going through it just remember we’ve all been there. But I don’t want to downplay your feelings and neither should you. Feel your feelings just don’t get stuck in them.


 Here are a few tips on helping you get through those rough patches:


  1. Take a Break and Do Something that Makes you Happy

Give yourself a break. Focus on something that brings you joy. It can be useful in helping you shake your feelings of despair. For me, I know pulling out a good book or listening to my favorite songs and dancing helps put me in a better mood.


  1. Talk it Out

Some people are reluctant to talk about their rejections or perceived failures but you’d be surprised how helpful it can be to just talk it out with a loved one or a friend. Maybe they can offer you some advice or know someone who can. Or maybe they can just be an ear to let you vent. Venting can be quite cathartic.


  1. Reflect on Past Setbacks

I know you’re thinking, if I’m already feeling low why the hell would I want to think about past setbacks but please hear me out. At the time of your past setback no matter what it was you may have thought the same things you’re thinking now. There’s no way out, I failed, this will never get better. But guess what it did. You made it through that obstacle so you can make it through this one. Reflecting on the past can help keep things in perspective because this too shall pass.


  1. Get Back to It

You gotta get back to it. Life doesn't just hand us what we want, well at least not for us Average Joe’s, so you have to get back on your grind. You have to keep putting the work in. Think about it; if life gives you lemons you have to put in some type of work or effort to turn it into lemonade. It doesn’t just happen. So keep going.


I’m Keep Running ‘Cause a Winner Don’t Quit on Themselves


My final bit of advice is that whatever you do DON’T GIVE UP! You may have to alter your tactics, switch up your methods, and go through a series of trials and errors or even take a few L’s but if you want it Go Get It!


  • If you didn’t get that loan because of your credit, start researching ways to increase your score (I’m planning to write a post on how to build your credit, so stay tuned).


  • If you didn’t get into the college of your choice, try starting out at a community college, study for placement tests, and develop a plan to help keep you on track and eventually apply for a transfer.


  • If you didn’t get awarded that grant you applied for, reach out and ask for any tips or resources that you can use to help make your application better. Apply again. Also research other grant opportunities; there may be other programs out there that can still meet your needs.


  • If you didn’t get that job you wanted, start looking into training programs or classes that can better prepare you and help boost your resume. Also, look into finding a mentor in that field. They may be able to provide you with pointers on what you need to do to become a better candidate. 


My point is, never let rejection deter you from what you want. Let it be a learning process. Learn what you can do or need to do to make the next time a yes. And by next time I don’t necessarily mean the next time. A lot of successful people had to endure hundreds of No’s before they got that Yes. And the only difference between them and the average person is that those rejections didn’t hinder their determination to succeed. 


Like Beyonce said “You just might be the next Bill Gates in the making”. So pick your head up and ‘Gon Slay’!😏



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tackling Debt: To Snowball or to Avalanche that is the Question?

The Sunshine Blogger Award

Downgrading Does Not Mean Failure: Ways to Save Money