7 Ways To Bounce Back From Disappointment
Here are seven of our favorite ways to bounce back from the inevitable setback.
It is impossible to avoid disappointments in life, but many women leaders are trying their very best to never feel let down. This may explain why women are more conservative investors, hold themselves back from applying from roles they aren’t 100 percent qualified for, and don’t bet on themselves for fear of failure. (Also, the patriarchy.)
We think, if you have tools in your toolkit to help recover from disappointment you may think differently about risk vs. reward.
Here are seven of our favorite ways to bounce back from the inevitable setback.
Let Yourself Be Sad
In our culture, sadness is associated with weakness, but we know that feeling our feelings is an important part of life. It is perfectly ok to take time to mourn the loss of an idea, a hope, a dream or an outcome. Staying in sadness too long can hold you back from other opportunities, but trying to avoid it all together won’t help you learn from disappointment.
Move Your Body
There is something to Taylor Swift’s famous “Shake It Off”. Moving our bodies can be a great way to work through disappointment. To start the process of moving on, you simply have to move. We suggest complex movements (yoga, pilates, dance) versus repetitive actions (running, cycling) to get yourself in a refreshed headspace.
Use Humor
You’ve heard the quote, “laughter is the best medicine”, but did you know the ability to laugh at missteps is a great way to build resilience? Laughter is a proven stress fighter as it changes our physical feelings (hello endorphins) and emotional connections. Turn on your favorite female rom com and get to the giggles.
Remember Your Strength
Without a valley, there would be no peak. It is important to remember, you have survived everything you’ve come up against so far. While you may not be exactly where you want to be, you’ve already come this far. Acknowledge your strength by reflecting on disappointments you have survived and the good that came from those low points.
Treat Yo’Self
We don’t think you need a reason for giving yourself a reward, but if ever you needed an excuse, this is a great one. Treat yourself like you would a dear friend. Think about what makes you smile, fresh flowers, manicure, or guilty pleasure television. Do what feels good.
Explore Positive Distractions
No good comes from fixating on the negative, but if you don’t have anything else to do, you may fall in this trap. Give yourself a positive distraction to focus on while you move through your recovery process. A girls night in, or out, a Netflix binge, planning and trip, or diving into a creative project are all examples of positive distractions.
Try A Different Approach
When you have had time to process the disappointment, it’s time to take a fresh look at your goal. Sometimes we can be so fixated on the how, we completely forget about the what. There are many different ways to get what we want. It’s time to step back and give it another go.
