When a Raised Eyebrow Feels Like Rejection

If you grew up in an environment where love or approval came with strings attached, you might have learned early on that being “good,” agreeable, or invisible kept you safe. Fast forward to adulthood, and suddenly a mildly raised eyebrow from someone can feel like a full-body alarm. Your nervous system shouts, “Danger! Rejection incoming!” even when, really, it’s just feedback, or your friend being tired and not texting back.

Relational trauma teaches the body that connection isn’t always safe, and that love might disappear if you make a mistake. So when disapproval, criticism, or even praise shows up, your system reacts as though your worth is on the line. Spoiler: it isn’t.

In therapy, we explore these reactions together, gently, with curiosity (and the odd laugh when our brains overreact dramatically). We look at where those beliefs were formed and teach your nervous system that connection can, in fact, be safe again. It’s not about perfection; it’s about permission, to be fully human, mistakes and all.

Each time you meet your fear of rejection with compassion, you’re rewriting the story: “I can be real and still be loved.”

🌼 That’s the kind of safety that lasts.

~ Jumbled Bean