Late Bloomers: Is it Ever Too Late?

There’s a difference between late bloomers, and talented older achievers.

Late bloomers arrived late to the party. You can say they procrastinated, dawdled, straggled, lagged behind. Some of them didn’t know what they wanted to do. Some didn’t believe they could do anything. Some tried earlier and failed. Some didn’t try at all until they were old. People called them dilettantes, and laggards. Late Bloomers have many different explanations for why they didn’t succeed at their craft when they were young. But they have one thing in common—once they became older and decided to start, they didn’t stop. Once they realized what they could do, they were on fire.

Who are these late bloomers?

Paul Cezanne is a classic example. Living on a family allowance, he spent decades experimenting with ideas and techniques, finally delivering a one-man show at the age of 56. From there, he went on to become one of the most highly recognizable and influential painters of the 20th century.

Julia Child, another example, spent her younger years procrastinating over her first book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. It was finally published when she was 49, and was an immediate success. A television show, and more cookbooks followed, ushering in a career that lasted more than 30 years.

Millard Kaufman, after decades of experimenting with various forms of writing for Hollywood productions, finally sat down to write his first novel, A Bowl of Cherries, at age 86. This was immediately followed by his final work, Misadventure (published posthumously) at age 90.

Talented older achievers, on the other hand, are creators of a different stripe. They are the writers, painters, and innovators who start early and stay late. They have a clear indication of what they want to do, what medium they want to explore, and then they devote their lives to it. Many of them have the good luck to live long lives, and they rarely stop working.

Here are some examples of older achievers:

• Jazz great, Lionel Hampton, whose band helped introduce rock ‘n ’roll, continued to tour the world with his own popular big band until shortly before his death at age 94.
• Pablo Picasso was still painting at 91.
• Georgia O’Keefe’s painting career spanned 70 of her 99 years.
• George Burns’s last movie role was in 1988 at age 92. His memoir, Gracie, A Love Story, about his deceased wife, was published that year, followed by All My Best Friends a year later.
• Billy Crystal published his hilarious observations on aging, Still Foolin ‘Em: Where I’ve Been, Where I’m Going, and Where the Hell are My Keys, at age 65. He says:

“What’s so fascinating and frustrating and great about life is that you’re constantly starting over, all the time, and I love that.”

This is what two more of these talented older achievers have to say:

“I have enjoyed greatly the blooming that comes when you finish the life of emotions and of personal relations; and suddenly find yourself at the age fifty – that a whole new life has opened up for you. It is as if a fresh sap of ideas and thought is rising in you.” Agatha Christie

“What we all need, whatever our age, are personal role models of living in the present – and a change that never ends. We need to know that life past sixty or seventy or eighty is as much an adventure as it ever was, perhaps more so for women, since we are especially likely to find new territory once the long plateau of our role is over. Explorers of this region have always existed in some number, but now their lights dancing on the path ahead will guide many more.” Gloria Steinem

There are so many more of these role models—fabulous and vibrant people who are leading rich, full lives in their, sixties, seventies, and beyond. These men and women (Helen Mirren, Diane Nyad, Edie Windsor, Mary Oliver, Ram Dass, and Pema Chödrön, to name a few) are creating a new paradigm for a different kind of elder,

Creativity in old age is an enriching phenomena, an extender of life. I strongly believe that being creative when we are older gives us a better chance at aging gracefully and meaningfully. It is good for our health and our spirit. British author Freya Stark puts her own poetic spin on it:

“On the whole, age comes more gently to those who have some doorway into an abstract world—art or philosophy or learning—regions where the years are scarcely noticed and the young and the old can meet in a pale, truthful light.”