Late Bloomers: Is It Too Late or Just the Beginning?

Lately, I’ve found myself reflecting on my life; have the decisions I made, the paths I chose, and the actions I took, or failed to take, delayed my progress, or have they led me to exactly where I’m meant to be? As a 40-year-old adult who grew up in the 90s and came of age in the early 2000s, I, like many members of my generation, was raised to believe that life follows a constant sequence and timeline: university follows high school, then comes a career, marriage, and children. Society enforces this progression so strictly that when we deviate from it, we often feel as though we’ve gone astray, as if we’ve failed in our transition into adulthood.

We are constantly bombarded with stories of youthful success, tales of wealth and achievement attained before the age of 30. Job interviews prioritize “young and dynamic” candidates, while many workers are dismissed simply because of their age. Those over 50 are often considered “too old” for university or graduate studies. Ageism is a stark and undeniable reality.

LATE BLOOMERS

Late bloomers are individuals who realize their potential later than expected, often uncovering talents that initially go unnoticed. The key word here is "expected." They typically achieve their potential in ways both novel and unforeseen. For many, the gifts that emerge later in life are far more profound than those that blossom early. A 2019 study by Danish researchers revealed that Nobel Prize winners made their most pivotal discoveries at an average age of 44.

A BIG FAILURE, A LATE BLOOMER: PAUL CÉZANNE, THE GREAT

Paul Cézanne always aspired to be an artist, but his father pressured him into law school. After two years, Cézanne abandoned his studies to pursue art in Paris at the age of 22, only to be rejected by the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts. Disheartened, he returned home to work at his father’s bank. A year later, he returned to Paris, faced rejection once more, and had his paintings declined by the Salon de Paris from 1864 to 1869. Though he briefly exhibited with the Impressionists, Cézanne ultimately ceased participating in their shows. Discouraged by relentless criticism, he retreated to work in seclusion, without public exhibitions between the ages of 46 and 56. At 56, Cézanne held his first solo exhibition. Two years later, a museum in Berlin purchased one of his paintings. By the age of 60, his work began to gain traction, and he was finally recognized and revered. After his death, he was celebrated as a pivotal figure in modern art, with both Matisse and Picasso hailing him as “the father of us all.”

FAMOUS LATE BLOOMERS

• Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species at the age of 50 in 1859, forever changing the scientific landscape.

• Nelson Mandela became the first president of post-apartheid South Africa at the age of 76 in 1994.

• Harland "Colonel" Sanders franchised Kentucky Fried Chicken at 62 in 1952 and sold his business 12 years later.

• J.R.R. Tolkien published his first novel, The Hobbit, at 45 and completed The Lord of the Rings at 56.

• Vera Wang entered the fashion industry at 40 after careers in figure skating and journalism.

LIFE IN BLOOM: THRIVING on YOUR OWN TIMELINE

Each of us follows a unique trajectory, shaped by our individual life cycles. The experiences we encounter - losses, existential crises, health challenges, financial hardships, the bittersweet surprises life brings, and the lessons we never consciously chose - mold our journeys. All of these experiences hold value, contributing to the person we become. None of us is ever truly “late” in life; we must remind ourselves that life can truly begin at 40, or even later. There is always more to discover. We can find love or passion at 50, or move to a new country at 60. Starting university at 35 instead of 19, or launching a business at 55 instead of 28, does not make you any less successful. Marrying at 40 instead of 23, or having children at 45, doesn’t mean you are unwanted or too old to be a mother. You are a Late Bloomer. And that is perfectly fine. Embrace the courage to unfurl your potential, much like a flower that blooms gracefully, revealing its full beauty in the twilight of the season.

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“People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.”

-Paulo Coelho

“By being authentically who you are, you might be a little slower in becoming successful, but you’re going to be slowly gathering people who are your tribe, your kinda folks.”

-Chloé Zhao

“In our 20’s and 30’s we’re accomplishing goals that society values. And doing things for approvals. Then we wake up unhappy and believe: it's too late. We’re told life has a time limit. It doesn't. Celebrate learning who you actually are. Celebrate following your heart and intuition over what society tells you to do.”

               - Dr. Nicole LePera

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