We always support young people’s dreams, but when it comes to middle-aged people and their dreams, we don’t really give it much thought. But their dreams are just as valid, and sometimes the most inspiring.
A ton of middle-aged people took to Twitter to share their stories about how they turned around their lives and got a fresh new start. These inspirational tweets prove that it truly never is too late to start over or try something new. Hopefully after reading some of these stories, you will feel motivated to follow your heart and dreams!
1. 58-year-old mother gets her first-ever grant
It wasn’t too late for this mother who just received her first-ever grant to preserve woman’s immigrations stories. So inspiring.
2. This mother published her first-ever book…And law school!
“Some of us are late bloomers, but wow, when we figure it out…”
3. Waiting to start a band…
They already got the drumset, now they just need to lose the stage fright. We believe they can do it.
4. 44-year-old bass player who just recently started
He has some great advice though: the worst thing you can do is not do it.
“I’m a 49-year-old woman and I’ve raised 3 boys and started a few decent businesses and also some that didn’t do so hot, but I’m proud of them all,” one person wrote. “I also took a picture of these turkeys in my yard!”
6. “Mother of 2-near adults”
She was waiting tables (which is totally fine) but then decided to go to grad school. Now she is a professional playwright and television writer!
7. “I swear my life was over at 35”
This thread of tweets began to spark inspiration and happiness for everyone… Truly powerful.
This woman raises an excellent point: why 30 under 30? Why are we put under pressure to achieve so much at such an early age? What’s less impressive about being above 30?
9. “Never too late to learn”
Sometimes you gotta go back to college in your 30s, and you should feel no shame about it.
10. Our mothers have been in the same boat
This person’s mother went to college for her very first time when she was 41. Then she got her masters at 56. Incredible.
After being a stay-at-home mother of six, this woman went back to school at 38. “I have my dream job and refuse to let my age define me,” she says.
12. A mother who sold her first book at 47
And it will publish a month before she turns 49.
13. Went to college while raising her two children
“I don’t deserve her, she is the best person I have ever met in my life,” the mother’s husband wrote. That is the sweetest thing we have ever read.
14. Laid off after a 25-year career
“After a 25 year career laid off! At 55 I trained to be a dog trainer. 11 years later I’m an expert in dog behavior. I’ve helped hundreds of people help their dogs, rescues especially. What’s better than puppies, I teach them every day.”
15. Laid off after a 25+ year advertising career
“20+ year advertising career & I was laid off SIX times. Left at age 42 to start new career in canine massage therapy and build my own business. 5 yrs in – I now teach CMT, am part of a rehab vet team, and working towards my 3rd certification.”
After raising eight(!) kids, this mother got her masters in psychology, became an art therapist, and also teaches art therapy. She has also written 5 books and continues to dominate. What an amazing over achiever!
A lot of these people probably didn’t know that there were many people out there doing the same thing as them. This thread serves as a source of comfort and lets everyone know that they are not in this alone.
This clever Twitter user speaks nothing but the truth as they explain that this is why many people are too scared to switch out of careers or decisions that were ultimately not right for them. Life does
not go downhill after you turn 30, contrary to popular belief!
19. Stronger focus than ever
This person seems to believe that they feel more focused than they ever have before, despite having a child. We believe them!
You stop being a people pleaser when you reach a certain age, and it is absolutely beautiful.
Not only was this woman a grandma of four, but she was also a Veteran
and published her first novel… All while having ALS. A trooper!
22. This person solidified the point everyone else was making with this very on-point article
Just a friendly reminder that several authors didn’t reach major success until after they were 30. We tend to forget about these!
24. “Don’t knock a lived life”
This person has a great point.
“I didn’t publish anything, I’m just a regular human, but I went to Zimbabwe and volunteered at a wildlife refuge at 47, saw Victoria Falls. Life doesn’t just peter out after 30. My friend Elsa is 96 and went on an archaeological dig at 75. I want to be like her.”
26. …And the story continues
“Here’s Elsa at the Women’s March! She’s a WW2 vet. She’s really pissed off that nazis are back. ‘What did we fight for?'”
27. Truer words have never been spoken
The 30 under 30 lists are cool and all, but they aren’t the only things that matter.
“Colonel Sanders didn’t become rich & famous until he was a senior citizen.”
29. Your first 30 years don’t count
Of course, decisions you make can have consequences, but your past does not define you. Everything you are doing in the beginning is preparing you for the next chapter.
30. “The first 30 taught me dedication”
This man went from owning and operating Arbys to being semi-retired and selling cars. Who says you can’t switch career paths when you want to?
31. 3 kids, 35-years-old, and has had cancer… twice
This person is truly so strong for having cancer but instead of giving up, using it to pursue her dreams. “It’s never too late,” she assures everyone on Twitter.
32. Starting your second career after raising four kids is possible!
“Via my sister: ‘My mom finishing her master’s in her 50s and starting her second career after being a stay at home Mom and raising four kids.'”
33. First book at 41-years-old
“The idea that you’ve got five years between 20 and 30 to do everything you’re ever going to do is ridiculous,” Mike wrote. Preach, sir!
34. Three kids under 5 and she has her first book out
And she totally has a point. Just because you didn’t do something when you were 26 does not mean you are never going to do it in your entire life.
Sometimes it is the small, mundane moments in life that you can be truly grateful for. You go, Joe!
36. There’s nothing wrong with it
Absolutely nothing wrong with doing something later in life. It’s liberating!
37. It’s a marathon, not a race
And those are the types of people we would love to read about.
38. “I ran that marathon…six times.”
This person took up running at age 45. They went on to beat Oprah’s time and they are also working on their MBA!
“I had not taken a math class for 40 years,” this person shared. Yet, they still manage to ace everything and are set to graduate with a 4.0 at the age of 60+. Impressive.
40. Finishing research at 62
“It’s an amazing journey!”
41. “You are giving me life right now”
Seeing everyone feed off of each other’s positive energy is an absolute delight. And no one is too old to start their PHD program.
You suddenly have way more current knowledge in your field when you go back to school later in life. That can be really helpful.
“Just got my PhD in November – weeks before my 58th birthday. #NeverTooOld”
And they are also applying to law school… All while feeling more prepared than they ever have before.
This person telling another stranger on the Internet that they will make it is honestly so pure and wonderful.
46. Two master degrees at the age of 50
And now, because of this thread, they are determined to get that PhD! So inspiring.
47. Working on a doctorate at 54
This person proves that you can have four kids of all different ages and still be enrolled in school full time. It is possible.
“I’m in my sixties…just planning my first exhibition.”
49. How about “over 40’s” instead of “under 25’s”?
Everyone might tell you no, but it shouldn’t scare you away from pursuing what you really want to do.
50. “Ageism is alive and well”
This person changed careers in their 40s and now, when they are in their 50s, they are just “making headway.”
51. It is never too late to launch a clothing line
Even if you have already had several ventures, and several kids. You launch that clothing brand, girl!
52. Inspiring cancer survivor
“What about a 50 yr old stage4 #metastaticbreastcancer patient who in last 7 yrs founded 2 websites, is a patient advocate, organizes exercise retreats for patients, created #sbcinfographic to make patients aware of signs & symptoms AND is a wife & mum to 2 children?”
53. It’s never too late to release that poetry collection
In addition to releasing that, this person is also a full time educator, got their MFA at 38, have two young kids and a sick wife.
54. First book published at 57
And then another one, and then another one… What a great reminder to just keep chugging away.
55. “If I’m not active, nothing happens”
What an interesting way to look at it. For some people, once they get active, their whole life changes both creatively and career-wise. Seems smart!
56. “All my life I want to be a painter…”
“All my life I want to be painter…I started to 5 years ego, I’m 65 …and I know I’m one 👇🏻self portrait and my granddaughters portrait.”
And it doesn’t even end there. Now they are working on their first feature!
This man became a father, graduated college, started a successful non-profit comic book convention… And the list goes on. You can still do these things, even after a certain age.
59. Retired from the Army and now producing lyric videos
What a career swap… And we love it!
60. This single mother who is 62 is preparing to release her debut novel
The idea that we lose worth as we age is so not true…And these 60 incredible people prove it!
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We always support young people’s dreams, but when it comes to middle-aged people and their dreams, we don’t really give it much thought. But their dreams are just as valid, and sometimes the most inspiring.
A ton of middle-aged people took to Twitter to share their stories about how they turned around their lives and got a fresh new start. These inspirational tweets prove that it truly never is too late to start over or try something new. Hopefully after reading some of these stories, you will feel motivated to follow your heart and dreams!
