Challenge: 500 rejections

A year ago, I came across a young woman sharing a new project of hers. Her idea was simple: chase rejections. Apply for things, ask for opportunities and put yourself out there, even when you’re almost certain the answer will be no. Because once rejection stops being something to fear, you might as well go for it. And every now and then, a little courage pays off with a yes, a new connection or an opportunity you never would have found otherwise. A friend of mine has been a huge inspiration, as she started the same journey. So, from fall 2026 to fall 2028, I’m setting myself a challenge. 500 rejections. Some professional, some personal, and some just for the sake of seeing what might happen.

The spiral below grows by one every time I make an ask. It tracks whether the answer was yes, no or is still pending, which part of my life the ask belongs to, and how scary it felt to put myself out there. Visually, the project takes inspiration from the colour palettes of the 1970s and the illustrations often seen in films inspired by that era. And since this is a rather personal project, I’ve given the page a background in one of my favourite colours, too.