Is Rejection Really Redirection Or Are You Unprepared?

A Closed Door Might’ve Been the Right One—Sorry

I’m a bit embarrassed that I believe in occult practices. It often feels like I’m two people who, if they met in real life, would immediately roll their eyes at each other.

One of us is rational, no-nonsense. She believes in practical steps and five-year plans. If her logical brain can’t explain it, it doesn’t exist.
The other spends hours in maladaptive daydreams, rehearsing her Jimmy Fallon interview. Should she come across as the casual cool girl or the glamour bombshell? (Spoiler: she’s both—an equally annoying contradiction.) She drowns the house in incense and meditates to speak to her ancestors.

They coexist, uneasily. And lately, I’ve noticed the world seems to reflect that same split. Occult practices—manifesting, astrology, tarot—have gone mainstream. What was once the domain of your kooky aunt is now your CEO’s MO.

And while I get the appeal, I’m starting to wonder: Are we just spiritualizing our avoidance?

Your Boss Has an Astrologer on Speed Dial

The astrology sector alone is projected to reach $22.8 billion by 2031. Spiritual products? Valued at $180 billion in 2024 and expected to grow to $249 billion by 2032.

But this popular embrace of what was once considered fringe has brought with it an army of spiritually self-righteous people, now armed with smartphones and ring lights. New Age evangelists and Instagram gurus love to serve us lines like:

“What is meant for you will never pass you by.”
“Rejection is redirection.”
“A closed door is the wrong door.”

Surely, that missed opportunity was the universe protecting you. It’s not that you were naïve, under-qualified, or completely in over your head and in desperate need of a wake-up call. Of course not…

Accidentally Enlightened, Deeply Unprepared

I’ve been able to attract things into my life that seemed so improbable, so out of left field, that I can’t help but believe.
Believe in what, exactly? I’m not sure. (These things will stay between me and the void, because they’d be forever spoiled if I said them out loud.)

I’ve had obsessive phases trying to find answers: devouring books on Buddhism, listening to Hinduism podcasts hosted by a guy called Nish the Fish, reading astrology from the likes of Liz Greene and Alan Leo. I’ve seen just enough to convince me that someone, or something, is listening. That there’s a force placing me in situations where I get to practice becoming the person I say I want to be.

But the shocking part? I never behave how I imagine I would. I’ve had things in the palm of my hand and still didn’t seize the moment. I cowered, doubted, got embarrassed.

I’m doing this strange dance with myself: I say I want something, it shows up, and sometimes I fall short.

Maybe That Was the Right Door. You Just Didn’t Walk Through It.

So… is rejection really redirection? Is something better waiting for me? Or was that moment the moment and it just came to show me that I wasn’t ready?

Maybe nothing better is on the horizon. Maybe that opportunity was the one, and it didn’t pan out because I wasn’t prepared for what I said I wanted. And I have to be okay with that. So do you.

I’m not trying to kill your dreams, but it’s difficult to exist in a time where grounded conversations are rare. Sometimes the moment doesn't call for talk of divine timing. Sometimes it calls for a hard look at yourself.

More and more, it seems like New Age spirituality is religion in a mask, encouraging people to throw their hands in the air and wait for the Universe to work things out for them.

But this mortal coil takes intention. Action. Effort. Screwing up. Missing chances. Regrouping.

Sure, the Universe Has a Plan. But You Still Have to Show Up to the Appointment.

Can you have a second chance? Absolutely. Third and fourth chances too.

But the lesson isn’t that what’s meant for you will never pass you by. Things can and will pass you by. And when they do, that moment becomes fertile soil.

You can take it and learn. You can creatively pivot, readjust your expectations, and have an uncomfortable moment of sincerity with yourself.

Or you can ignore what’s in front of you and post a Yung Pueblo quote to your Instagram stories.

“She let go. Overjoyed. Now she’s spiritually aligned… and unemployed?” — Joven Village???

Spiritual Evolution or Avoiding Personal Responsibility?

I love that, as Millennials and Gen Zers, we’re re-parenting ourselves, exploring new avenues for healing and dealing with life’s difficulties. We’re learning to be the gentle, encouraging hands we didn’t always receive. But within us, too, is an executing power that needs to be listened to.

Tolerance for rejection is crucial. The introspection that follows? Even more important.

Sometimes the “better thing” isn’t around the corner. The better thing is the humility it takes to sit with failure. To reroute with clarity instead of fantasy.

That door that closed? It wasn’t the wrong door. Sometimes it was the right door, and you’re just going to have to find a new key to reopen it.

Life is starting to feel like a strange balance between delusion and dedication. I know I’m not the only one who thinks so. I often feel like Florence Pugh in Midsommar, equally intrigued and horrified by the things happening around me. Some days, I’m one crystal away from becoming a Manson girl. Other days, I wonder if the finance bros of Twitter were right about Marcus Aurelius all along.

Who will prevail? I’ll let you know in ten years.

In the meantime, hold the vision, superstar. Just don’t forget to update your resume… and maybe double-check the lease agreement while you’re at it.