Lesson 2: Accepting Rejections is an art

Rejection – a word that sends chills down our spines, especially as teenagers. We live in a world where everything from social media to real-life interactions subtly tells us that we need to be accepted, praised, and celebrated. 

Whether it's posting that picture and counting the likes or going out for a school competition, the fear of hearing “no” can be paralyzing. But here’s the thing – rejection isn’t just a test of how thick your skin is. 

It’s an art to be mastered, and I’m here to tell you why learning this art might just be one of the most important skills you ever develop.

When I decided to start my own web design agency, I was driven. Ideas buzzed around in my head like bees in a hive. I envisioned working on projects for local businesses, creating websites that would make people stop and stare. It felt like a dream worth chasing, but reality had other plans.

 The rejections rolled in, one after another. “We’re not looking for new services right now,” “Thanks, but we already have a web designer,” and sometimes just plain silence. At first, every rejection felt personal, like each “no” was aimed directly at my confidence. My motivation dimmed, doubts crept in, and the initial spark started flickering. 

But here’s what they don’t tell you: every rejection is like a chisel, chipping away at who you think you are until you find who you really are. I kept reaching out, kept refining my pitches, kept learning from each interaction. 

And then, one day, everything changed. I got a “yes.” One person decided to give me a shot. That single "yes" felt like finding water after wandering in the desert. It wasn’t just a project; it was proof that persistence pays off, that all the “no’s” weren’t in vain. 

It didn’t end there. Just when I thought I’d mastered this art of perseverance, another test came along. I wanted to volunteer at RSI (Research Science Institute), a prestigious program where young minds collaborate, innovate, and grow. 

I was so eager to contribute, excited to be part of something bigger, but then I got the response: “Sorry, Kenya does not participate.” That message hit me like a punch to the gut. It was a rejection not of my abilities, but of opportunity itself. And that’s a tougher pill to swallow.

But here's what that experience taught me: rejection doesn’t mean the end. It means redirection. Sure, I couldn’t volunteer at RSI, but it made me look at other ways to give back to the STEM community. It made me think bigger, beyond the limitations set by geography or circumstance. I realized that sometimes, we have to create the opportunities we don’t get. 

Accepting rejection is an art because it asks you to see beyond the immediate. It challenges you to take that “no,” analyze it, and use it as a stepping stone instead of a dead-end. It’s about realizing that each rejection holds a lesson, and each lesson makes you stronger. It’s about understanding that your path isn’t always straight, but it’s yours to carve. 

Teenagers, we’re at a point in life where we’re figuring out who we are and what we want. Rejections, big or small, will come, whether it’s in academics, relationships, or your future ambitions. The trick is to not let them define you, but to let them refine you. Keep knocking, keep pushing, and remember – all it takes is one “yes” to change everything.

So, let’s embrace the art of rejection. Let’s look at it not as a wall, but as a canvas, one where each “no” adds another brushstroke to a masterpiece called resilience. Because at the end of the day, the world is full of possibilities, and sometimes the best opportunities come from the paths you forge when others close.