Dallas Bragg argues that rejection hurts because we haven't accepted ourselves first. External validation shifts with others' perspectives and expectations, so self-love is the only reliable foundation for emotional resilience.
Let me tell you what I'm learning about self-acceptance. I have had a huge issue in my life with being rejected and really taking it personally when I'm not accepted by someone. But then I figured out that when someone doesn't accept me, it bothers me because I haven't fully accepted myself. Really, it all comes down to a place of Of self-love and acceptance of who you are, when you are, where you are, and why you are, regardless of the acceptance of others. Because here's the thing, when someone accepts you, it's typically through their lens, and they're accepting you based on who they want you to be. And guess what? That measure changes when they change. You're really setting yourself up for failure anyway.
