In May 2024, a 21-year-old woman began a 30-day personal challenge to intentionally seek rejection. She stated that a fear of rejection had been holding her back, influencing her relationships and career opportunities as a social media manager.
Her first rejection challenge took place in a coffee shop in Warrington. She asked if she could make her own coffee, expecting staff to react negatively. Instead, a barista allowed her to go behind the counter and learn to make a latte.
Throughout the month, she continued with unusual requests, such as asking strangers to film her singing or to join their group photos. She also wore a wedding dress to a supermarket and sought dating advice on a commuter train. She reported that interactions were largely positive, with people often showing patience and generosity, even when requests were declined.
The participant stated that the challenge helped her discover that rejection was relatively rare and that her fear was rooted in an assumption that others were always judging her. She has since continued to incorporate similar 'rejection therapy' into her routine, aiming to push herself out of her comfort zone.