Daily writing prompt

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?

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I don’t see failure as an end—just a chance for a do-over. A few years after taking a break to have my baby, I took on a paid job behind the camera again. I was excited to get back into it and put my heart into the work. When I showed the photos to others, they said they looked great. But the client wasn’t satisfied. I didn’t understand why—everyone has different tastes, and maybe, for them, it just wasn’t what they envisioned.

I take a lot of pride in what I do, and because of that, I couldn’t bring myself to cash the check—it just didn’t feel right. My husband told me I should have because I did my part and worked hard. And he was right—I did. But to me, it felt like giving them a refund because they weren’t happy, and that mattered to me.

At the time, it felt like a huge blow, especially since I was getting back into something I loved after a break. But looking back, I don’t see it as a failure. It was a lesson. It reminded me that even when I put in my best effort, I won’t always be the right fit for everyone—and that’s okay. It doesn’t mean I’m not good enough; it just means I keep growing, keep learning, and keep creating with pride. And that’s what keeps me going.