You really can do it - but it’s hard to not be disheartened from a rejection letter - but in the long run, it’s a lot better to apply for things and get rejected from some, than to not apply at all out of fear.

For example, if you apply to 10 exhibitions and get rejected from 9, you get hurt 9 times, but your work actually gets exhibited at an exhibition.

If you apply to 0 exhibitions because you’re scared, you get hurt 0 times, but also have 0 exhibitions.

Anyway, everyone gets rejection letters. You’re in good company:

Here’s some rejection letters to Sylvia Plath, Kurt Vonnegut and Andy Warhol: openculture.com - rejection letters