When the System Says No

Sometimes the system says no.
Not because you did something wrong, but because it’s designed to be confusing, slow, or indifferent. A form gets rejected. You’re told you don’t qualify. A letter arrives with language that feels like a wall.

It’s easy to take that no personally. To feel small, ashamed, or exhausted. I’ve felt that. I’ve stared at paperwork that made no sense, knowing it mattered but not knowing how to respond. I’ve had moments where I wanted to give up—not because I lacked intelligence or care, but because the system made me feel like neither mattered.

Perseverance doesn’t always look like strength. Sometimes it looks like rereading the same line three times. Sometimes it looks like asking for help, or taking a break, or coming back to something you thought you’d already finished. It’s not linear. It’s not glamorous. But it’s real.

When the system says no, perseverance says:

• I’ll try again.

• I’ll ask a different question.

• I’ll stay curious, even when I’m tired.

• I’ll remember that my worth isn’t defined by a form, a deadline, or a denial.

Perseverance isn’t about pushing through everything. It’s about staying connected to what matters—even when the system doesn’t make it easy.