The robbery happened at noon.
No warning signs. No alarms. Just a feeling in my gut—like something was missing.
I stared at my screen. Frozen.
The email was there: "Thank you for your submission, but we've decided to pass..."
Five years of hard work. Hundreds of pitches. Late nights and early mornings. All of it led to this: another rejection.
I didn't cry. I didn't move. I just sat there.
Empty.
It wasn't the first rejection, but this one hit harder. Maybe because I thought it was a sure thing.
Maybe because deep down, I was starting to believe that voice saying, "You're not good enough."
Failure Hits Different
Failure only sometimes shows up all at once. Sometimes, it sneaks in little by little.
It starts with doubt. Then fear. Before you know it, it's stolen your confidence.
This rejection wasn't just an email. It felt like someone had looked at my work and said, "You'll never make it."
I avoided my laptop for days. I felt ashamed. I wanted to quit.
But Here's the Truth
At 3 AM one night, I sat in the dark and asked myself: "What if this isn't the end?"
I opened my laptop and started typing. One word. Then another.
The work could have been better. But it was progress.
Every "no" taught me something new. Every rejection toughened me up. Every time I wanted to quit but didn't—it made me stronger.
The thief thought it had stolen everything. But all it really did was help me find my resilience.
For Anyone Facing a Setback
I don't know what failure has stolen from you. It could be your confidence. It could be your motivation. It could be your belief in yourself.
But here'sI've learned that failure only wins if you let it.
What you do next—that's what matters. Pick up the pieces. Start small. Keep going.
Because every setback is just the beginning of your comeback. And failure?
It's just the first draft of your success story.
What About You?
Have you ever faced a rejection or setback that almost made you give up? How did you find your way back? Let's share our stories and inspire each other.
