Rejection therapy is based on the idea that repeatedly facing rejection can make it less intimidating.
The approach encourages people to put themselves in situations where they might hear “no,” whether at work, in social settings, or in their personal lives.
Over time, this helps build resilience and makes rejection feel less discouraging, according to Psychology Today.
The concept aligns with the belief that pushing through fear leads to personal growth.
Maureen Evelyn’s journey took an unexpected turn when she applied to Harvard—not to get in, but to be rejected, USA TODAY noted.
Inspired by rejection therapy, she saw it as a way to build confidence by facing her fears head-on.
“When I was in high school, I was always terrified of failure,” Evelyn, now 21, says.
She feared rejection so much that it made her strive for perfection, hurting her confidence.
She took an unusual approach to overcome that fear—seeking rejection on purpose.
By hearing “no,” she hoped to prove to herself that rejection wasn’t as bad as she once believed.
Hoping for a guaranteed rejection, she applied to Harvard, which accepts less than 4% of applicants.
Since the application only took a few hours, she figured there was nothing to lose. It was meant as a joke—but the outcome was anything but.
Instead of being rejected, she was placed on the waitlist, which caught her completely off guard.
Getting waitlisted at Harvard made her rethink how fear of rejection had influenced her choices.
She realized many people hold themselves back simply because they assume they won’t succeed.
The experience proved that taking a chance—even with slim odds—could open unexpected doors.
Evelyn has fully embraced rejection therapy, challenging herself to seek out as many rejections as possible.
She’s part of a growing trend, with TikTok users going viral by sharing their experiences with this unique approach to overcoming fear.
To help others do the same, she created Rejecto. On this social platform, users document their rejections and support one another.
She believes the impact of rejection therapy can be life-changing.
This viral trend has pushed TikTok users to take on daring social challenges, often leading to surprising reactions.
In one widely viewed video, a woman greets an entire airline cabin, earning cheers from passengers.
Another clip shows a woman telling strangers it’s her birthday, prompting them to sing along.
In another TikTok video, a woman asks construction workers if she can join them in their crane—only to be met with an unexpected yes.
Psychotherapist Stephanie Sarkis, who specializes in anxiety and ADHD, says rejection therapy is not a new idea—and it has proven to be highly effective.
She explains that traditional cognitive behavioral therapy helps people face uncomfortable thoughts and emotions, making them feel less overwhelmed over time.
This approach is often used to treat phobias, gradually helping individuals build resilience against their fears.
However, Sarkis points out a key difference. In professional therapy, rejection exposure is structured and tailored to target a person’s anxieties.
On TikTok, the trend takes a more unstructured approach, with participants deliberately seeking rejection in unpredictable ways.
“You start with one time a week, go up to three times a week, go up to every day a week, and you’re checking in with yourself and doing some introspection each time you’re doing it,” Sarkis says.
Rejection therapy often leads to surprising outcomes, with many participants realizing that rejection isn’t always for the reasons they expect.
For Evelyn, getting waitlisted by Harvard sparked a challenge to seek out more rejections.
She pushed her limits by dining with strangers, appearing on television, and even posing for a vintage car photo shoot. She also took a leap by applying to a top modeling agency.
As anticipated, the agency turned her down. But when she asked for feedback, the response surprised her—they said she looked “too ethereal” for ad campaigns. Sometimes, rejection comes with an unexpected silver lining.
Tips before trying rejection therapy
Rejection therapy can be a powerful way to overcome fear and build confidence. Still, experts warn it should be done safely and with a clear purpose.
Sarkis advises against seeking rejection randomly or putting oneself in risky situations.
Instead, she suggests focusing on areas where the fear of rejection is most limiting, such as dating, social interactions, or career opportunities.
Gradual exposure, she says, is key to making progress.
While viral videos may make rejection therapy seem like a way to unlock unexpected opportunities, Sarkis emphasizes that its real goal is learning to handle rejection without fear.
Most people hear “no” far more often than “yes,” and having a support system can help healthily process those experiences.
Evelyn knows this well. Throughout her journey, she has faced rejection many times—from being turned down by a construction crew when she asked to use their jackhammer to being denied the chance to make her own bubble tea at a restaurant.
But for her, success wasn’t about getting a “yes”—it was about developing the confidence to ask in the first place.
Now 21, Evelyn says rejection has shaped her success.
“I make six figures. I travel the world. I work for myself,” she says. “And it’s like, all of this is because of rejection, honestly.”
Here’s Maureen sharing how rejection therapy changed her life in less than one year:
@maureensmarketingI ate dinner with strangers
Discover more from My Positive Outlooks
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.