If rejection worries often hijack your day, you're not alone. That sudden spike of panic—Did I upset them? Do they hate me?—can turn even the calmest moment into an anxious spiral. But there's a beautifully simple solution: a reassurance ritual. This is your go-to question and answer, a password to safety that you can use anytime to feel grounded again.
Notice the Worry
The first step is simply to recognise when the fear arrives. Your brain might tell you that rejection is imminent, even when there's no real evidence. You might feel your heart race, your thoughts spiral, or a sudden urge to check if everything is 'okay'. This is your cue.
Instead of fighting the feeling or trying to logic it away, just notice it. Think of it as standing on a trapdoor—you need something solid beneath your feet. That's where your reassurance ritual comes in.
Ask Your Question
This is where you use your pre-agreed 'password to safety'. In the book Small Talk, Rox would ask Rich, 'Are you angry at me?' or 'Do you hate me?' It became their shorthand for I need reassurance right now.
Your question should be:
- Short and simple
- Easy to remember in a panic
- Pre-agreed with your partner, friend, or family member
Examples include 'Are we okay?', 'Do you still like me?', or 'Is everything alright between us?' The exact words don't matter—what matters is that it's yours and it's familiar.
Hear the Answer
The magic happens when the other person gives you a calm, consistent response. This isn't about elaborate explanations or lectures. It's about warmth and predictability.
For example, if the question is 'Are we okay?', the answer might be 'Yes. You are safe with me.' Keep it short. Keep it warm. Keep it the same every time.
Over time, this ritual becomes normal—even a little funny. In Rox and Rich's case, 'Do you hate me?' became such a familiar line that it turned into a running joke, with a hug as the punchline. That's the power of repetition: it transforms fear into something manageable.
Feel the Safety
This step happens naturally once the ritual is in place. The panic fades. The trapdoor feeling disappears. You're reminded that you're safe, you're valued, and the relationship is solid.
Here's the key: this ritual doesn't try to eliminate your sensitive feelings. Instead, it gives them a soft landing so you can move on with your day. When reassurance is easy to ask for and easy to give, fear loses its grip.
Building this habit takes a little practice, but the more you use it, the faster the calm arrives. You're teaching your nervous system that it's safe to check in—and that the answer will always be kind.
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