Are You A Late Bloomer?

There are many late bloomers. These are people who don't get it together early in life; who take longer to gather wisdom and digest thoughts and ideas. And many take longer to adjust to the world they live in. There can many reasons for this.

For some it can be because they have suffered stress at an early age, i.e.: lost a parent or parents, had difficult early beginnings, lacked confidence and self-esteem or had been very shy, finding communication difficult. Or possibly late bloomers feel that youth offers them more for their development level. Late bloomers tend to be deep thinkers, usually with patient personalities. They take longer to form their ideas and to decide what they want to do with their lives. They tend to have reflective personalities.

For many late bloomers it takes years for talents to unfold or abilities to develop. Some talents such as writing can take many years to blossom while they mature. This is the case with most creativity. In most situations these slower developing individuals are not worried about it. Unconsciously or consciously they are quietly working on their development. Environment and opportunity is important and maturity has a large bearing on it. It all takes time and for the most part, they're not concerned.

There are many well-known late bloomers. Clint Eastwood didn't direct his first movie until he was sixty-two years old although he was creative in other areas. Norman MacLean didn't publish his first novel until he was seventy-four and his second and last book was published after his death at eighty-seven. Harriet Doerr didn't get her Stanford degree until she was sixty-seven and won a National Book Award at seventy-three. Grandma Moses didn't begin her painting career until she was in her late seventies.

I have often heard the expression, 'I'm too old for that.' When we take a look at the above list of well-known personalities who didn't think they were too old to start something new, we should realize that we can do anything at any age as long as we have an ability, passion and a desire to do so. With the attitude that we're too old for something, we may as well start digging our graves. All of us, whether we're late bloomers or not should realize that we are never too old for anything we want to do. Late bloomers definitely know this.

Many late bloomers grow more attractive and confident as they age. And many have cultivated other aspects of their personalities and talents, and with increased confidence have proven their abilities. It just takes late bloomers longer to discover their abilities and themselves.

Most of us know or have known one or two late bloomers in our lives. When others are worn out and ready to take it easy, they're just hitting their stride.