If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

When I was 16, I was nervous the entire time I took my behind-the-wheel test. From the moment I sat down in the driver’s seat, doubt started creeping in, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wasn’t ready. When I found out I failed, I was absolutely devastated. I remember thinking, Who fails their driver’s test? It felt like such a big deal, and I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed and defeated. I just wanted to forget the whole thing.

But the moment my mom saw me, she could tell how upset I was. She didn’t dwell on my failure, though. Instead, she hugged me and calmly said, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” Her words were exactly what I needed to hear. She reminded me that failing wasn’t the end, and I had the chance to try again. Her support gave me the confidence to shake off the disappointment and keep going. 

The second time I went back to take the test, I was still nervous, but I felt stronger. With my mom’s words in my head, I walked into that car more confident, ready to face whatever came my way. And this time, I passed. It wasn’t just about getting my license–it was about realizing that failure doesn’t define you, and with a little encouragement, you can always try again and succeed.

Failing my driver’s test felt like the end of the world at the time, but my mom’s words reminded me that failure isn’t final—it’s just part of the journey. That same lesson shows up in one of my favorite books, The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest. It’s a powerful reminder that the biggest obstacles we face are often the ones inside ourselves, and that with patience and persistence, we can turn those obstacles into growth.