I hear people saying that you're never too old to follow your dreams. I believe that is true to a certain extent. It's more about the resources you have access to, and how much you know now in comparison with how much you need to know. It's not really about age, because you can make the most of your time no matter how old...or young...you are.
Being creative, especially if you're just starting to test your creative depths, can make you feel like you're too far behind, or too old to start your creative journey. It's easy to look at other people who are in similar positions, or life stages and say that you're not "creative" because you don't come up with anything as cool as that other person. I'm guilty of this mindset...a lot.
Don't get me wrong, I still plod along trying to learn all kinds of new things that interest me. It can be a little daunting though, when you see someone your age or quite a bit younger who sings, plays and instrument, composes, and sews clothes in their free time. I find that intimidating. Who knows how much more that person will know by the time they are my age?!
The thing I have to remind myself of, is that they aren't me. Their situation is different. They were obviously surrounded by people who could teach them many different creative endeavors, and they had the resources to afford to keep practicing those skills. Just because someone appears to be in a similar situation, doesn't mean you can compare your creative journey to theirs. You will have had different resources, and experiences. And that's OK.
Your creative journey isn't about being the best person at "xyz" thing. It's about allowing yourself free time to explore a new hobby you find interesting. If you find something you want to get really good at, awesome! It means that you still have a long way to go, but you'll have something cool to work on. Maybe it helps you relax, or feel productive. Maybe it allows you to connect with others who share the same passion, and enjoy a special type of fellowship that may grow into life-long friendships.
Your journey isn't about comparing the quality of things you try, with others who may have been working on that same skill their whole lives. Enjoy what you create, what you've learned, and keep learning. Enjoy the journey. It can be frustrating at times, especially if you've found something you're passionate about, but be patient with yourself and remember to appreciate the things you've learned how to do now. You'll get even better with time.
And really, let's be honest, you're going to be older no matter what. You can be older and learning about new things you enjoy, or you can be older and have fewer things you enjoy. I guess not a whole lot to lose there. ;)
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