Rejection – Melissa Schlies

This Election Season, Don’t Forget To Love

Last week, Tony and I traveled through the Midwest to see family. For most of our trip, the highways and turnpikes we drove down were lined with big red or white barns and beautiful cornfields. Then, when we headed off those long stretches of road, there were more farms. Only this time, their homes, front yards, and driveways were dotted or emblazoned with red, white and blue— Political signs. Big and small plastic rectangles, with the words TRUMP or BIDEN printed in all capitol letters, hung from windows or stuck out of patches of dying grass. As if reminding us [...]

By Melissa Schlies|2020-10-11T22:04:53+00:00October 12th, 2020|Categories: Hope, Rejection, Relationships, Self Care, Social Distancing|Comments Off

The Reasons We Don’t Create

Not too long ago, on a podcast, I heard a famous chef lament over what food has become in our country. She said Pinterest and Instagram have shown us how beautiful and fancy it can be. So much so that many of us home cooks wonder why we should even try. There is beauty in feeding others. Then she went on to say that there is so much more to making a meal than cooking a piece of steak perfectly. She talked about the beauty in feeding others. About the love one feels when a hot meal is placed in [...]

By Melissa Schlies|2020-03-05T16:26:17+00:00March 9th, 2020|Categories: Creativity, discipline, Fear, Habit Making, Identity, perseverance, Practice, Rejection|Comments Off

Comparison: It’s Not Our Job

Over the past few years, there’s a word that’s been thrown around to describe our generation: Entitled. But I don’t believe our problem is that we think we are owed everything. I think the problem is we compare ourselves to others. Then we worry about what it says about us, if we aren’t in the same place (financially, career-wise, etc.), as everyone else seems to be. I don’t believe our problem is that we think we are owed everything. I think the problem is we compare ourselves to others. Comparison is never about the person we’re focusing on. It’s always [...]

By Melissa Schlies|2019-10-24T12:42:10+00:00October 28th, 2019|Categories: Anxiety, comparison, Courage, Hope, Mental Health, Purpose, Rejection, Uncategorized|Comments Off

Three Questions to Ask After Rejection

As I shared on Monday, I recently joined a new writers group. The very first time we got together, I was so nervous. I was the first to arrive at the coffee shop where we met, and as I waited in line to order my coffee, I had a realization. All my nerves centered on this one question: “What if they don’t like me?” I felt like I was in junior high all over again. But then I realized, I probably wasn’t the only one who felt nervous about showing up to our newly formed group. Putting ourselves out there [...]

By Melissa Schlies|2019-07-25T15:12:05+00:00July 25th, 2019|Categories: Fear, Friendship, Lead, Learn, Love, Love Learn Lead, perseverance, Rejection, Relationships, Uncategorized|Comments Off

What if They Don’t Like Me?

I grabbed my bag, quickly looking inside to make sure I had something to write with. I found a pen and a pencil. Then, taking a deep breath, I zipped up my bag, and hung the strap over my shoulder. I check the time, I was ten minutes early. Just enough to get coffee. I locked the car, then looking both ways, crossed the parking lot. I entered the store. Though it was quiet for a Saturday, there was a small line at the cafe. I stepped in behind a man with two small girls. One was telling him she [...]

By Melissa Schlies|2019-07-16T15:13:01+00:00July 22nd, 2019|Categories: Acceptance, Adulting, Courage, Fear, Friendship, Rejection, Uncategorized|2 Comments

What if I don’t get it?

When I was in high school, I had a friend who applied to Harvard. Then she begged me not to tell anyone that she applied. It was a big, audacious dream that was too fragile to share. Best case scenario, if she got in, it would be this wonderful surprise for her to announce. But if she didn’t, she wouldn’t have to face the public embarrassment of not being accepted. When it comes to pursuing a goal, “What if I don’t get it?” is one of the scariest questions we can ask. Whether we’re applying to a college or to our [...]

By Melissa Schlies|2019-07-07T20:04:41+00:00July 8th, 2019|Categories: Adulting, Courage, Failure, Fear, Rejection, Success, Uncategorized|Comments Off

What Holds Us Back In Friendships

Friendships are never easy. In middle school they’re all about safety, and having people to sit with in the cafeteria so you aren’t labeled an outcast. In high school, the social groups are pretty well established. But there is still the possibility of fall outs, decimating entire groups with one betrayal. Then in college, the whole deck is shuffled and we start again. The good news about college is that if you didn’t meet your BFF in high school, you get another chance. And this time, any friends you make, may share more of your values and be headed on [...]

By Melissa Schlies|2019-04-24T14:09:52+00:00April 29th, 2019|Categories: Courage, Friendship, grief, Rejection, Relationships, Uncategorized|2 Comments

Two Things Brene Brown Has Taught Me About Criticism

Growing up, there were a few circumstances that sent my family spinning into survival mode. Being the middle child, I quickly learned to cope by trying to make everyone and everything all right. Something, I couldn’t actually do. But by watching out for my younger sisters, being good, and taking care of things around the house, it seemed I was able to manage things. That somehow, for my family, I was able to lessen the blow. These skills I developed at home served me well at school too. By learning what was expected of me and performing it, I was [...]

By Melissa Schlies|2019-04-24T13:52:40+00:00April 25th, 2019|Categories: Courage, Failure, Fear, Good Books, Identity, Lead, Leadership, Learn, Love, Love Learn Lead, Rejection, Uncategorized|4 Comments

What Holds Us Back: The Fear of Criticism

"What will people think?” Sometimes, what is holding us back is as simple as these four little words. Seconded only by “What will people say?” The power that these two small questions have is incalculable. Because, no matter where we were born, what our family was like, or where we went to school, we all know the sting of criticism. And it is our natural response to try to avoid the pain. Only what happens when the thing you know you’re meant to do, the thing you should do, or the thing you can’t stop dreaming about—could put you in [...]

By Melissa Schlies|2019-04-18T14:50:53+00:00April 22nd, 2019|Categories: Anxiety, Calling, Change, Courage, Failure, Fear, Freedom, Hope, Making Decisions, perseverance, Rejection, Success, Uncategorized|4 Comments

Being a Grown-Up

Perhaps I watched too many Disney movies as a kid, but I used to believe that if I did all the right things, my life wouldn’t be hard. As if pain only comes to those who get into trouble. As if struggle is a choice. But then, I found myself pursuing a career with little room for women. I found a lump and thought I might have cancer at twenty-three. When I finally got a job in my career field, I moved to another state and learned that beginning a new life in a new town isn’t so easy. And [...]

By Melissa Schlies|2019-01-31T22:43:24+00:00February 11th, 2019|Categories: Adulting, Courage, Failure, gratitude, Hope, perseverance, Purpose, Rejection, Success, Uncategorized|2 Comments

The Reasons We Don’t Create

Comparison: It’s Not Our Job

Three Questions to Ask After Rejection

What if They Don’t Like Me?

What if I don’t get it?

What Holds Us Back In Friendships

Two Things Brene Brown Has Taught Me About Criticism

What Holds Us Back: The Fear of Criticism

Being a Grown-Up

ABOUT ME

RECENT POSTS