Sometimes it can be like that but most of the time, there is leeway for mistakes. There are many ways you can lose Judie's path, I can't help you based on the limited information you provided.
I've been there before too! If you don't like losing paths, I can recommend you a mod I made; it can predict path loss early, eliminating fomo while still letting you make your own decisions. There's also an "Accumulative Guide" which can help you troubleshoot your playthrough without you having to start over.