This post was inspired by a recent episode of the What Now? podcast, where a conversation around how men handle rejection caught my attention. It all started when Scott Galloway made a striking statement: “No group has fallen further, faster than young men.”

That line opened up a deeper conversation. Yes, men still hold much of the power in politics, tech, and finance. And women—especially those from marginalized communities—unfortunately continue to face violence, underrepresentation, and discrimination. Still, if you've been paying attention, you’ve probably noticed a shift: young men are graduating from college (all levels of education, actually) at significantly lower rates than young women. While I agree that taking on debt for a degree you won’t use doesn’t make sense, that piece of paper can still open the door to higher-paying jobs.

The conversation continued, speaking to more trends. The percentage of men aged 25 to 34 who live at home with their parents is significantly higher than that of women in the same age group. Suicide rates among young men are rising, and many report feeling lonely, lacking close friendships, and lacking purpose.

Their discussion around rejection got me thinking about the mindset that many young men are moving through the world with. I fear that because men are siloed and seemingly have targets on their backs, this will only push them further into that “I ain’t shit” mindset—and that trickles down into how they treat themselves and others. It’s playing out in their friendships (or lack thereof), at work, and in their romantic relationships, especially when dating. Rejection becomes a personal attack vs a natural part of life. How do you build the muscle of taking a no, sitting with it, and learning from it if you are not exposed to it in the first place?

As someone raising a daughter in today’s world, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned. We will try our best to instill strong values and conviction in her so she knows how to handle herself and recognize the good ones. However, we can’t control the thoughts and actions of young men in this country.

This topic is so layered. Let’s be for real—our attention should be focused on the actual oppressors and systems holding all of us back. I could go on and on, so let’s zoom out for a second. Rejection, in all forms, touches everyone. Whether it’s a job we didn’t get, a person who didn’t choose us, or an opportunity that lamentably slipped away, most of us are walking around with some memory of “not being chosen.” I am currently in the process of job searching and have received about ten rejection emails so far—many others haven’t responded to my application at all. The disappointing pang of not getting picked sucks. But as a former recruiter and talent professional, I have to remind myself: what’s for you is for you. There are so many factors that go into how hiring managers choose one person over another that it’s not worth wracking your brain over. Granted, you have to do your part—tweak your resume to fit the job description and write a compelling cover letter—but once you’ve done what’s within your control, it’s time to let go and let God, as they say.

Recently, I asked friends to share a time when they experienced rejection and what lesson they learned from it. Here's one story that is very relatable:

A special thank you to my friend who contributed her anonymous story for this post! 🙂

If you have a rejection story of your own, I’d love to hear it—whether anonymously or not. You never know who it might resonate with.