Often, the fear of going after what we want isn’t about the rejection, but the emotional aftermath.
This article was written by The Line Creative Hub member Talisa G.
Embarrassment, sadness, and even anger can all rush in when things don’t turn out how we’d hoped.
But more often than not, the best things in life sit on just the other side of taking a chance.
Whether it be asking a new friend to lunch after class, shooting your shot with a crush, or even inviting someone home with you, beautiful relationships tend to begin in moments that risk vulnerability.
One of the best dates I’d ever been on, and subsequently one of my most embarrassing moments, happened to be a mix of all these things.
While I was solo backpacking abroad, swiping through dating apps in my hostel bunk, I matched with a lovely girl.
After a short back and forth, I asked her out for drinks that night. Our date was set!
It was perfect. We chatted by the ocean, shared a few laughs and wandered around the city's beautiful parks.
Hours passed easily.
At the end, she’d confidently asked me on another date for the very next day. I readily agreed.
The next day, we met for dinner as the sun set over the bustling city.
We shared dinner, spending hours together.
Was this going to be the travel fling I told all my friends about?
Would we go home together?
As the night came to a close, we walked to the train station, bumping shoulders.
The date had gone well. The vibe was flirty.
As smoothly as I could, I gently asked if we’d be going home together…
What followed was the most embarrassing conversation of my life.
Due to a slight language barrier, she hadn’t realised I was politely alluding to sex.
So, when she’d responded, ‘I’m going to bed now’.
I, of course, took that as a kind ‘No’.
I smiled, thanked her for a wonderful date, and turned to leave.
With furrowed eyebrows, she stopped me, asking if she’d missed something.
I awkwardly attempted to rephrase my question.
She misunderstood again, growing frustrated, clearly knowing she was missing something.
Once again, she insisted I clarify, asking me to be more direct.
At this point, I was panicking, insisting it was completely okay if she wasn’t interested.
In turn, she was growing more frustrated, intent on turning this into an English lesson.
My face burned as I tried for a final time to explain.
She blinked. Once. Twice. Then burst into laughter.
Finally, through the giggles, she politely declined, having work early in the morning.
I was so embarrassed. I felt humiliated, even a bit rejected.
Until she suddenly hugged me, still giggling, and we both began laughing together.
All those negative emotions slid away. It was awkward and embarrassing. But it was also really funny.
Later, walking back to my hostel (having ensured my date made it safely to her train), I reflected on how much fun I’d had.
That really weird, awkward, horrible moment had only made our date more memorable.
Despite six minutes of awkward linguistic fumbling, I didn't die.
Instead, all the awkwardness ended with us laughing so hard, we’d had stitches.
We even became friends after that, continuing to keep in touch for a long time after I left the city.
The mix of ‘bad’ feelings hadn’t killed me.
If anything, it had made me more confident.
I’d put myself out there, experienced an awkward rejection, and the world kept turning.
In the end, I made a lovely friend and walked away with a story that still makes me laugh.
Uncomfortable emotions won’t kill you.
Honest communication, even when it's messy, is human.
And sometimes, even the most awkward, uncomfortable moments end up becoming some of our best memories.
