Growing up, I’d say I never experienced any form of rejection whatsoever. I was the spoiled brat who got away with anything and everything and couldn’t take a ‘No’ for an answer.
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Even in cases of friendships or relationships, I was doing the rejection and not otherwise.
Because of that, I grew up thinking everything would always go the way I wanted, but I got humbled sooner than I expected.
The post was inspired by the #hivelearners contest on the topic ‘Rejection’.
My Visa Got Rejected
Happened 6 years ago but the memory is still fresh.
I was in secondary school at that time and it was our mid-term break and my dad picked me up. I used to be obsessed with reading newspapers so I picked one I saw beside me at the backseat of the car and a document slipped out.
Out of curiosity, I went through the papers and found out that they were visa processing papers which had my names and my sisters’ in them.
I confronted my dad about it and he explained that he was sending us to the Uk to be with our Aunt to finish up our education but it was supposed to be a surprise.
The excitement was too much to contain and I ended up spreading the news to all my classmates when I returned from my mid-term break after my dad warned to not disclose to anyone at all.
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My sister advised that I keep my mouth shut until our visas were granted but I didn’t listen, I was going abroad and of course who wouldn’t be excited?
The processing was taking longer than normal and I ended up resuming a new class which wasn’t the plan, I was supposed to be in the Uk by now so I got worried.
I refused to copy notes or take the lessons of my new class serious because I was so sure of traveling abroad.
Months after we traveled for the visa interview, nothing was forthcoming. In August, no positive news in sight and I was to resume college in the Uk by September.
In December, our results were ready and it turned out to be the worst night of my life.
My dad read it first and out of anger, he tore the papers and at this point I knew something was up.
My mom explained and said that our visas were denied for absolutely no reason and we weren’t traveling to the Uk anymore.
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I cried like I had just lost a family member. I begged God and even fasted for 3 days promising Him that I’d be a good girl henceforth if our results changed, but it remained rejected.
Reality hit when my dad said I had to return back to my former school and continue with my education.
I remembered how much I bragged with the abroad news, didn’t take my classes serious, refused to copy notes and missed a lot. How was I going to face my classmates too?
I was depressed, lost a lot of weight, refused to go out and avoided social media. I had to open up to my dad and luckily he understood and accepted to change my school.
I changed schools and finished up my education. Most of my classmates eventually found out I didn’t travel, a lot of them thought I lied about going to the Uk and I just didn’t care anymore.
I closed my ears to every negative comments and gossip and channeled my energy into facing my books. At the end of the school year, I was the best graduating Art student in my class, I also won different prizes and as a new student, It was surprising especially as I already missed a lot before joining them.
Rejection taught me:
The situation humbled me real quick as I used to think the universe will always be in my favor.
I realized as humans we’ll always encounter rejection one way or the other and things won’t always be smooth.
I learnt how to make the best out of any situation. Rejection also taught me how to put my faith to test lol. It was that period I became serious with prayers😂
I also learnt how to shut up until I was sure about anything at all. Of course my pride reduced to the barest minimum as well.
In the end a win is a win.
