Rejection stings,  whether it’s a friend pulling away, not getting the job, being ghosted, or a partner feeling distant. Our brains don’t like ambiguity, so they fill in the blanks with painful stories about not being good enough, smart enough, or lovable.

In this encore episode, I explore:

• Why rejection hurts so much and how it’s linked to survival wiring
• The ways we often respond, withdrawing, lashing out, or people pleasing
• How our brains make up unhelpful stories when we don’t have answers
• Practical tools from Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• The role of mindfulness, values, and diffusion in managing rejection
• Why self-compassion and support are essential in moving forward

Part one focuses on understanding rejection and building strategies to cope. In part two, I’ll explore rejection in parenting, especially as teens start to need more independence.

Resources:

The Future of Friendships: Are We Getting Lonelier?

Connected Teens :

https://marievakakis.com.au/connected-teens/

Connect with Marie :

https://thetherapyhub.com.au/

https://marievakakis.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/

Submit a question to the Podcast:

https://forms.gle/nvNQyw9gJXMNnveY6