Start when you can

THERE ARE NO LATECOMERS IN LIFE

There is an obsession that has engulfed our world today, the desire, and the craze for timelines and milestone achievements. Many believe that success, fulfillment, growth, and achievements must happen by a certain age, and anything later than that would mean failure. The society sometimes tell us that if you have not done so, or achieved such, at certain ages you have fallen behind. Nevertheless, on this journey through life, the truth is, there are no latecomers in life.

Life does not follow a schedule, everyone has their own different timelines, and milestones, and everyone will arrive at their destinations at different times. We have seen throughout history how some people found their calling or achieved greatness at ages the society deemed "too late". Colonel Sanders, founded KFC at the age of 65; Vera Wang entered fashion design at the age of 40, after initially pursuing a carrier in figure skating; Julia Child published her first cookbook at 50; and Stan Lee created his most iconic comics in his 40s.

These stories remind us that purpose has no expiration date. What matters is not when you start but that you begin at all. We cannot compare ourselves with others, we will only be giving comparison the privilege to steal away our joy. Measuring yourself against others, or against societal standards, only breeds discouragement. We must understand that life is not a race, it is a personal journey.

Sometimes, when people think you are starting late, you might actually be starting wiser. The years spent exploring, failing, or even wandering were not wasted, they equipped you with insights, resilience, and clarity that those who rushed ahead may lack. Your unique path has value. If you are breathing, you are still in the game. The perfect time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second-best time is today. Your time is now, whenever "now" is for you is just perfect.

To a better you, Kamikun John.