If you are easily discouraged, this is not the hobby for you.
Even now, I frequently encounter setbacks- I recently lost most of a crop due to overapplication of a bud booster. Before that, I had a high-temp DISASTER. It happens to all of us.
Seeds are 'good' for 5 years, after which the germ rate decreases by ~10% per year.
Proper storage (cool dry dark) prolongs this process.