How to Conquer Your Fear of Rejection

One of the biggest problems people have when it comes to dating is dealing with the fear of rejection. While some have no qualms about engaging a stranger in conversation or asking someone out on a date, there are others who have a legitimate fear of being turned down and embarrassed, especially in front of other people. When you want to start putting yourself out there but aren't sure how to go about it, there are a few tips to consider that can help you conquer your fear of rejection.

Think about the rejection process

So it may sound strange to think about the rejection process when you have a fear of rejection in the first place, but some over-dramatize it to the point that they scare themselves. Say you were to approach a stranger, engage in conversation for a few moments, and when you ask for a phone number, the person declines. Granted, it may sting for a few moments, but that's the extent of it. You walk away, continue to enjoy yourself and know that you very likely won't even see this person again. There's no mob of people waiting to laugh at you and you're still leaving in one piece.

Consider the risk versus the reward

Those who are afraid of rejection may only be thinking about the bad that could happen, but what about if it works out? The risk of facing a few minutes of rejection, especially with someone you likely wouldn't see again, is worth it if this is a person you end up in a relationship with or even married to. You could be standing in your own way of a lifetime of happiness with someone all because you have a fear rejection.

Realize it's likely not you

I've heard plenty of people say they're scared of rejection because they know if they get turned down, it's because they weren't good enough in some way, but that is likely very far from the truth. You can't assume why people didn't seem interested. For all you know, they could have been married, in a relationship, recently got out of a relationship or aren't ready or willing to meet someone new. It could also be that the person has a specific preference and you're just not their type. There are many more reasons why it isn't you than reasons why it could be.

Remember the "If it's meant to be" rule

If you were to tell someone you were interested, but they didn't reciprocate, it just means you weren't meant to be with that person at that time. I know it can be annoying to think of it that way, but it really is the truth. When there's someone you're meant to have in your life it's going to happen, so if you take the chance and it doesn't work out, then know that it could still happen in the future or there is someone completely different who it will work out with.

Keep putting yourself out there

The best way to conquer your fear of rejection is to keep putting yourself out there. Talk to new people, ask for phone numbers, give yours, go out more often, tell someone when you're starting to have feelings for them and ask people out on dates when they catch your interest. You're not going to be able to get over your fear if you don't start taking chances and realize, whether it works out or it doesn't, you're still going to walk away from it okay.

Every aspect of dating has some type of possibility of rejection, but you're never going to find someone if you don't take a chance. You absolutely can conquer your fear of rejection, but it's not going to happen overnight '" you have to put in the effort. As someone who's been rejected before, I can tell you that it's bothersome the first few times for a few moments, but after that, you realize that it was never as worse as you thought it was going to be. Pretty soon, you'll start taking chances without a second thought.