After visa issues steal Uorfi Javed’s Cannes 2025 dream, she calls upon netizens to share their ‘rejection stories’: ‘I ain’t stopping…’

Ever resilient in the face of odds, Javed continued, “After rejections, feeling dejected and crying over it is normal, in fact healthy. Even I do cry but what happens after? Every rejection is an opportunity if you look carefully. After so many rejections in life. I ain’t stopping and so shouldn’t you.”

The post was supplemented with an inspiring caption: “Rejections don’t define you. It’s what you make out of that situation. Guys let’s all share our rejection stories and inspire others. Upload a story using #rejected and tag me. Let’s talk about it!”

Is crying healthy?

Counselling psychologist Srishti Vatsa told indianexpress.com that crying is the body’s natural way of processing emotions—much like a pressure valve releasing steam. According to her, finding a safe space to cry rather than bottling up feelings is important. “Allowing emotions to be expressed healthily helps prevent emotional overload,” she said.

Uorfi Javed shares her rejection experience on Instagram (Source: Instagram/@Uorfi Javed)

Rejections are not always bad

Rima Bhandekar, psychologist at MPower, Aditya Birla Trust, added that rejections can feel disheartening, and emotions run high. “The journey often is accompanied by moments of self-doubt, loneliness, and conflicts with those who disagree with your classification of success. However, going through challenges and learning and growing from them can lead to tremendous joy, personal satisfaction, and resilience in the face of rejection,” she said.

How can you bounce back?

Muskan Marwah, psychologist at MPower, concurred that instead of taking it to heart and losing all hope, you should reframe your mindset to seek approval from within instead of external sources.

“This mindset involves shifting your belief that your value depends on others’ opinions. You are worthy, regardless of how others see you. Focus on self-validation and find ways to build your self-esteem through self-compassion and personal accomplishments,” she explained.

Marwah also suggested practicing self-care. “It is essential for recharging and maintaining emotional health. When you care for yourself, you become more equipped to engage with others healthily. Remember, self-care is not selfish—necessary for a balanced life,” she added.

According to her, these strategies help you clearly focus on what excites and motivates you to reach further and what initially inspired you to fulfill your dreams. This sense of meaningful purpose helps you avoid constant comparison, which can sometimes lead to moments of vulnerability, along with feelings of inadequacy and powerlessness.