The Rejection Before the “Rejection” hosted by Atika

About this event

Have you ever convinced yourself that someone does not like you, is not interested in you, or is judging you before you actually have any proof? Sometimes, the rejection we fear starts long before anyone has actually rejected us. We create stories about what other people think of us. Then we treat those stories like facts. We get quieter, more self-conscious, more withdrawn, or we start trying too hard to be liked. And without meaning to, we may show up differently because of the rejection we already decided was coming. In this special session of Awkward to Awesome, Atika will be leading us through a thoughtful and practical conversation about assumptions, self-doubt, and the stories we create when we do not have all the information. We’ll talk about: • Why we try to read other people’s thoughts and intentions • How fear of rejection can change the way we show up • The difference between facts, interpretations, and the stories we tell ourselves • How self-consciousness and fear of judgment affect our interactions • How a self-fulfilling prophecy can reinforce what we already believe about ourselves • Practical ways to interrupt the cycle and show up differently The goal is not to convince ourselves that everyone will like us or to pretend rejection does not hurt. It is to notice when we are rejecting ourselves before anyone else gets the chance. Come ready for a reflective, practical conversation about self-perception, rejection, and how to stay more grounded when you do not know what someone else is thinking. We are so lucky to have Atika leading this special session. She brings such warmth, thoughtfulness, and emotional steadiness to the room, and this topic is such a natural fit for the way she helps people feel seen without feeling put on the spot. (Please note this session is on a Monday instead of our usual Wednesday.)