Rejection is Redirection

We all know what it's like to feel knocked off-course.

When one of my long-term clients restructured and could no longer afford to keep me on, I knew I shouldn't take it personally. But I couldn't help feeling sad. I’d worked with them for years, had deep knowledge of their business, and felt like part of the team. It’s the kind of working relationship you don’t build overnight.

When that ended, I was thrown. Turns out, despite loudly claiming to be adaptable, curious, and a bit of a free spirit, I can also be a creature of habit. I like knowing what I’m doing. I like being across the detail. That predictability gives me room to be creative, and the rhythm helps me stay focused.

It reminded me of something that happened a few months earlier — when my partner moved in. He works night shifts, and between that and three dogs, I had to cancel the regular cleaner (a luxury I was so grateful for when work was busy and I was solo parenting two kids - the extra help really kept things on track). With the new routine, there just wasn’t a time that worked. The cleaner left me flowers, a note, and the key by the door — and I remember feeling like I was going through a breakup. The work shift felt the same, and I had to readjust.

The change made space for good things. With fewer large client commitments, I found time to work with smaller, local businesses. Clients with heart. People with stories I wanted to tell. I also had time for my health — something that had taken a back seat for too long. I’m three and a half stone lighter now, and fitter than I’ve ever been. The pace shifted enough to let me run more, meal plan and get to the gym.

I was more present with my teenagers too, which it turned out they needed more than I had realised.

So yes — the change threw me. And I couldn't help feeling sad. But it also reminded me that momentum doesn’t always mean progress. And that being busy doesn’t always mean being fulfilled.

Rejection, it turns out, is often just redirection. And this one pointed me somewhere great.