Too Late. Too Old. Says Who?
Nearly 500 of you proved it's never too late
“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” — George Eliot
I intended to write a note to encourage possibility. What I got back from you was proof.
Proof that “too old” and “too late” don’t come from the calendar. They come from somewhere or someone else.
On April 7, 2026, I posted this note:
I read every single comment.
I didn’t want to stop.
Here’s what 10 of you shared:
Karene Freeman
“I am 78. I am a dialysis patient. I have written a cookbook for dialysis patients. I started the book at 77. I started writing on Substack at 77. I Ain’t Dead Yet!”
Bonnie the Silver Nomad
“I am 62, and left an unhappy but comfortable 40-year marriage to have a shot at some real happiness. Sitting in a coffee shop now in Peru, heading to Cusco on the overnight bus to see Machu Picchu! Living the dream to see the world! Stepping out of my miserable, robotic existence has allowed me to meet so many loving, compassionate, friendly, caring, and downright amazing people EVERYWHERE! I am traveling solo but never alone.”
Dora
“This came across my feed, and I needed to see this today. I went back to college at 60, and I am getting ready to graduate with a bachelor’s in Art, Media, Communication, and Journalism. I was feeling insecure about my age. Thank you for reminding me that I am beginning to live again.”
After reading just these first few, I started to see a pattern.
This isn’t about age.
It’s about permission.
And what becomes possible once you give it to yourself.
Many of you are already living it.
Diane Sherry
“I began painting at 65, taught writing to homeless youth throughout my mid-sixties, had my first show at a prestigious gallery at age 68, wrote, directed, and painted an animation pilot at 72, and most significantly, finally fixed my picker! Got married to a good man at 73, my first non-abusive relationship ever.”
susan Frink anderson
“I got my second MA in my 50s and started a whole new life as a clinical psychologist. I published my first book at 70 while still doing that work and the second book during COVID while learning whole new ways to help people using new internet technologies. Life is not on repeat unless you want it to be.”
Sarah Dawkins
“We moved countries when I was 40 and returned at the age of 42. I left my career, the only one I ever wanted, at 48 and set up my first entrepreneurial business. I retrained at 52. We moved countries again, aged 53. I set up my second business at 56. Life is for living, experiencing different things, and having fun. Don’t let age get in the way.”
Different lives. Same moment.
The moment you give yourself permission.
Ginni Simpson
“I published my first book at 66. I took up pickleball at 71. I started my Substack page and began leading a writing group at 74. And now, at 76, I have finished writing a new memoir and will learn how to write a query and synopsis for submission to agents and publishers. I’m grateful that my mother taught me to always be curious and never stop learning.”
Jane Finn
“I’m 71 and starting three intertwined businesses. Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning, freelance writing focused on travel, and an Airbnb. Why? Because humans crave and need connection.”
Bill G
“I am a speech pathologist and at 73, still working part-time. Why? Because I enjoy what I do, and I think full retirement is a form of death by a thousand cuts. And there is a shortage of people in my field, so this old man is still in demand. Didn’t see that one coming.”
“Blue, I defended my doctoral dissertation at 61, and someone offered me a faculty position 4 months later. Age is absolutely the story we tell ourselves. Thank you for writing a different one out loud where the rest of us can find it.”
After reading all your stories, one thing became clear to me.
It’s not age that holds us back. It’s the story we tell ourselves about aging.
And every one of you, in your own way, is challenging that story.
Some of you rewrote it.
Some of you are in the middle of rewriting it.
And some of you are just beginning to believe you can.
Andrea Michele summed it up perfectly:
“I’m 61 this year, and I approve this message.”
What about you?
If you have a similar story, share it in the comments. It may be just what another reader needs to hear.
Have a great day!
Blue💙
For small pearls of wisdom and perhaps a chuckle, visit: Blue’s Notes
I retired in Costa Rica at 63 with nothing but 2 dogs, three suitcases, 5,000 dollars and a small Social Security income. I now make a small income writing, wrote my first novel. reunited with my partner who followed me to Costa Rica and I am the happiest I have ever been.
I have been a stay home mom for 18 years. he’s off to college in a few months. I’ve been working on reinventing myself. I just started writing on Substack with the intention of staring a peace protest that involves writing for change. I’ll let you know how it goes. :-). don’t know what I’m doing, but I’ll figure it out as I go.
I thank all of the magical women who shared their stories. You have inspired me profoundly. I send all of you my love. Xo