If you’ve been following me for a while, you may have seen me talking about something slightly unhinged: 2K Rejections.
The premise is simple. I’m challenging myself to keep applying for opportunities until I collect 2,000 rejections.
And yes, I realise that sounds insane.
But the more I thought about it, the more plausible it was. I just had to stop letting the possibility of hearing no stop me from asking.
I’m applying for scholarships, master’s programmes, research opportunities, fellowships, jobs and eventually PhD opportunities. Some applications will work. A lot probably won’t.
And I’m okay with that.
Well… I’m trying to be okay with that.
Q1: Why 2,000?
One of the biggest questions I’ve been getting is: why 2,000?
Why not 10? Why not 100?
Because I wanted a number big enough that I couldn’t possibly treat every rejection like a personal failure.
When you’re applying for postgraduate programmes or scholarships, it’s very easy to attach your self-worth to the outcome.
I’m trying to change that relationship with rejection and the anxiety I have attached to it.
A rejection can mean the programme wasn’t the right fit. Someone else was a stronger candidate. There wasn’t enough funding. The timing wasn’t right.
It doesn’t automatically mean I’m not good enough.
Q2: But why share all of this online?
Because I think we see the ending far more often than we see the process (and those stories are amazing) but we don’t always see the applications that came before the one that worked.
I want to document that part; the messy middle.
The part where you’re still figuring it out.
Q3: So… what exactly am I trying to achieve?
The bigger goal is much more straightforward than 2,000 rejections.
I’m trying to build a career and the applications are just part of the journey.
And I have absolutely no idea where this challenge will take me.
Maybe I’ll reach 2,000.
Maybe I’ll get a life-changing opportunity at rejection #37.
Maybe I’ll completely change direction somewhere along the way.
That’s the fun part.
I don’t know the ending yet.
I answered your questions 🎥
I recently sat down for a full Q&A about 2K Rejections; why I’m doing it, what I’m applying for, how I deal with rejection, whether I actually think I’ll reach 2,000, and what happens if I get a YES before I get there.
Watch the full Q&A on YouTube:
And if you want to follow the journey in real time, including the applications, rejection emails, little wins, and everything in between, I’m sharing it over on Instagram.
📸 Follow me on Instagram:
And if you’re currently applying for a master’s, scholarship, PhD, research position or literally anything else that scares you a little…
apply anyway.
Because apparently, my current strategy is to have absolutely no shame and just keep asking. 😂
And honestly?
It’s working for me so far.
If you have any questions, let me know in the comments!💗
Always with so much love,
Ms. M. Okumu✨💗
Myra Trudea Okumu 