“For what it's worth: it's never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you're not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.”
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About this quote
Most people wait for a 'right time' that never shows up; that waiting is a choice, not a law. Pick one small, concrete step this week — a class, an email, a short conversation — and try it. Treat that step as an experiment you can stop or repeat, so fear doesn't freeze you. If the result isn't what you hoped, change the test and try again.
When to use it
- At 48, handing in my resignation to open a bakery: "I've waited long enough — I'm starting now and I'll figure it out as I go."
- After failing the med school entrance exam, signing up for another prep course at 30 and telling my friend: "I'm giving this one more serious try."
- Recovering from a knee injury at 35 and starting couch-to-5K: "I'm going to run three times a week and build up slowly — it's not too late to get fit."
- After a divorce at 55, telling my kids I'm moving to a new city: "I want to try a different life — I'm starting over and I need your support."