1. Remember not to take this personally. Chances are, you didn’t get picked because you weren’t the right fit, not because you didn’t prove you could do a good job.
2. Be grateful for the opportunity. Even if you just applied to something or sent something to someone and never heard back, hey, at least you took the chance. You did a thing!
3. Don’t just look at what might have gone wrong. Look at the parts of your experience that went right and that you truly enjoyed.
4. If you want to keep writing, keep writing. If you need a break, take a break. Do what’s best for you and your mental/creative health.
5. Don’t decide what to do next right away. You don’t have to immediately pivot over to the next thing if it’s going to wear you down. Have in mind to eventually have a plan in mind.
6. Give yourself time to grieve. You are allowed to be disappointed!
7. Just know that at some point you need to set aside the tissue box and keep going when you’re ready.
8. Spend some time writing about your favorite things. Remind yourself writing brings you joy.
9. Remind yourself why you want to do this whole writing thing. Everyone has a reason, and if it’s embedded deep enough into your soul, it will always be the thing that brings you back.
10. Slowly start setting a few small, comfortable writing goals. You don’t have to jump right back into the deep end if you’re still hurting. Take it slow.
11. Have a few go-to mantras you can recite when you’re doubting yourself. “I can do this. I can get better. I can find my story a home. My story matters.”
12. Don’t give up. These things take time, but one way or another, persistence does eventually make a difference.
Meg is the creator of Novelty Revisions, dedicated to helping writers put their ideas into words. She is an editor and writer, and a 12-time NaNoWriMo winner. Follow Meg on Twitter for tweets about writing, food, and Star Wars.
Meg Dowell Writes 
Absolutely! Great points … particularly, allowing oneself to feel sad about it. Katie