Lovely to meet another late-bloomer! Your story resonates so much. I’ve taken to the artist life now after being made redundant. I’m not sure where it will take me to be honest but I knew I couldn’t carry on the ‘traditional’ path anymore because I was feeling so miserable. I look forward to walking alongside you in this exciting time in your life!
Late bloomer here too 🙋🏽♀️ also studied graphic design for “practical” reasons but then went ahead and built a career as a copywriter 😅 like you, something just didn’t feel right. I was really just coasting so I decided to change things up at 38, went back to uni, now I’m nearly 40 and can’t believe how different my life looks (in a good way!) – still trying to reach goals but feeling closer to them than before, so that’s something. Subbed!
This is so relatable. I’ve always wanted to be an artist/writer/movie-maker my whole life. I went to art school thinking I’d be a fine artist and reality hit pretty hard after graduation. I also struggled with mental health in college and call it my “dark days” so it’s a wonder I got through it at all. I ended up getting a government job completely unrelated to my degree and I’ve been doing that for the past 15 years but my heart aches for an art career. I’ve been deep in burnout for several years but do art when I have the energy. I also found out I’m AuDHD late in life and it’s helped me make sense of so much and be a little gentler with myself. I struggle HARD with perfectionism and imposter syndrome. I mostly don’t like anything I make because it never feels good enough but I can’t let go of the dream. The hardest part of really making a leap into a more full-time art career is that I’m the sole income/insurance provider for my family. So for now I struggle along trying to do a million jobs at once, hoping one day I’ll be in a creative career.
Start small! Consistency is the key to artistic growth :) I recommend you take a look at «The artist's way» by Julia Cameron; that book help me make breakthroughs regarding my creative blocks and beliefs. Oh and welcome to the Late-Bloomer Club Sarah!
What a beautiful story. We have a lot of parallels. I am 35, Nick Sharratt inspired me to be an illustrator when I was around 9 years old too. Something ignited in me when reading jacqueline wilson books. Always chosen the "safe" routes in careers with creative aspects but never fully thrown myself in due to self doubt. Started a degree in Occupational Therapy because I liked the creative aspect and then realised that it is absolutely not for me, and throwing everything I have to illustration now and finally pursuing my dreams. It's definitely never too late!
Oh I was a comic girlie, read every Garfield, Asterix, Tintin, Papyrus, then Yoko Tsuno... They became my art teachers and I studied how they were made and drawn. I found recently in a box sketchbooks of comics I wrote and drawn, when I was 9-10. Priceless! Welcome to the late-bloomer club Emily!
Feeling less alone. I too am a late bloomer club. Also a graphic designer, but I am 64, starting my illustration career!
Welcome to the Late-Bloomer club :)
And I’m just turned 70 and working on my first picture book! Went back to college in Bruges at 64 for a year’s full time study too!!
Wow! that's great!!!
Beautiful inspiring story ❤️
Thanks Astrid :)
You posted this on my birthday! This is the best gift, thanks!!
Happy birthday and welcome to the Late-Bloomer Club.
Lovely to meet another late-bloomer! Your story resonates so much. I’ve taken to the artist life now after being made redundant. I’m not sure where it will take me to be honest but I knew I couldn’t carry on the ‘traditional’ path anymore because I was feeling so miserable. I look forward to walking alongside you in this exciting time in your life!
Nice to meet you :)
Late bloomer here too 🙋🏽♀️ also studied graphic design for “practical” reasons but then went ahead and built a career as a copywriter 😅 like you, something just didn’t feel right. I was really just coasting so I decided to change things up at 38, went back to uni, now I’m nearly 40 and can’t believe how different my life looks (in a good way!) – still trying to reach goals but feeling closer to them than before, so that’s something. Subbed!
Welcome to the Late-Bloomer club Sam :)
This is so relatable. I’ve always wanted to be an artist/writer/movie-maker my whole life. I went to art school thinking I’d be a fine artist and reality hit pretty hard after graduation. I also struggled with mental health in college and call it my “dark days” so it’s a wonder I got through it at all. I ended up getting a government job completely unrelated to my degree and I’ve been doing that for the past 15 years but my heart aches for an art career. I’ve been deep in burnout for several years but do art when I have the energy. I also found out I’m AuDHD late in life and it’s helped me make sense of so much and be a little gentler with myself. I struggle HARD with perfectionism and imposter syndrome. I mostly don’t like anything I make because it never feels good enough but I can’t let go of the dream. The hardest part of really making a leap into a more full-time art career is that I’m the sole income/insurance provider for my family. So for now I struggle along trying to do a million jobs at once, hoping one day I’ll be in a creative career.
Start small! Consistency is the key to artistic growth :) I recommend you take a look at «The artist's way» by Julia Cameron; that book help me make breakthroughs regarding my creative blocks and beliefs. Oh and welcome to the Late-Bloomer Club Sarah!
What a beautiful story. We have a lot of parallels. I am 35, Nick Sharratt inspired me to be an illustrator when I was around 9 years old too. Something ignited in me when reading jacqueline wilson books. Always chosen the "safe" routes in careers with creative aspects but never fully thrown myself in due to self doubt. Started a degree in Occupational Therapy because I liked the creative aspect and then realised that it is absolutely not for me, and throwing everything I have to illustration now and finally pursuing my dreams. It's definitely never too late!
Oh I was a comic girlie, read every Garfield, Asterix, Tintin, Papyrus, then Yoko Tsuno... They became my art teachers and I studied how they were made and drawn. I found recently in a box sketchbooks of comics I wrote and drawn, when I was 9-10. Priceless! Welcome to the late-bloomer club Emily!