10 things we learnt about being a late bloomer in life
We loved our recent Fireside chat with researcher, podcaster and creativity coach Kendra Patterson.
She brought a refreshing honesty, warm energy and clarity of thought to the session. It appears others agreed!
Kendra told us that late bloomers have a youthful and vigorous curiosity as they move through life. However far too many of us find that fears and limiting beliefs hold us back from being who we want to be.
She believes, like us, that we are full of potential at any age and it’s never too late to make a change.
Here are the main takeaways from our conversation below.
1. Being a late bloomer has nothing to do with age
But rather being out of of step with the mainstream culture. And this causes us to feel behind, even though this is an illusion.
2. You have to create your own yardstick of success
And that can take a really long time. Particularly if you get caught up in the standard measurements society uses to judge success.
3. You can be a repeat bloomer
Kendra is, by her own admission, one of them. A few years ago she experienced severe burnout – her ‘dark night of the soul’. However this set her on the path to reinvent herself again and again.
4. Beware the sunk cost bias
It’s hard to give up on the things we’ve been doing for a long time. Particularly those that give us the esteem of other people. Kendra shared that she was living the wrong way, but it wasn’t her fault. She was just doing what she thought she was supposed to do.
5. Nothing you’ve done this far is wasted
Everything you’ve done up until now has led you to this moment. Experimental people rarely have a trajectory or master plan. They enjoy the journey and feel their way through life, sending and responding.
6. Have faith in yourself and your ideas
We’re great at committing to others but not so skilled at committing to ourselves. It sounds so simple yet it’s the hardest thing to do.
7. Forget the gatekeepers
There might be people in your way that have the power e.g publishers, but they don’t have the power to decide whether your work is worthwhile. Don’t let them put you off. If you have something to say, say it.
8. Embrace your inner child and sense of play
Children live in the moment and have an innate sense of what feels exciting or fun for them. You have it too, you just need to start embodying it.
9. If you can feel yourself shrinking, maybe it’s time to make a change
Often we can feel ourselves becoming smaller. Anxiety, depression and burnout are all signs you’re on the wrong path. The hard part isn’t making change though, it’s the build up to it.
10. People want you, not a pale version of it
Don’t obsess about what other people want from you. Start by creating what is true to you. That way you’ll show up more as you, not a facsimile version of you.
Kendra’s parting mantra? Don’t obsess about a goal, just find the next guide post for yourself to pull you forward.
🍃 Join other late bloomers on the next cohort of 20/20 Vision
