#59: Encore: You’re Never Too Old to Chase Your Dreams

Every year, I see the same cycle play out:
New goals in January.
Burnout by March.
Back to self-doubt and people-pleasing by summer.

Sound familiar?

This time, let’s do it differently.

In this encore episode, I walk you through why “I’m too old” is one of the most dangerous lies we tell ourselves—and how to finally let it go. 

From real stories of people who started over in their 40s, 50s, and 70s (!) to my own journey launching this podcast at 56, you’ll get real proof that it’s never too late to take action on what matters most.

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE

1️⃣ Starting over later in life comes with hidden advantages—and serious wisdom

2️⃣ Most people don’t regret aging. They regret waiting.

3️⃣ “Watch me” is a more powerful mantra than “what if"

You’ve still got time.
And you’ve definitely still got it in you.

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Transcript

Speaker 3: 0:06

You're never too busy, too tired, too old, or too anything to pursue your dreams. Welcome to the Distracted Dreamer Podcast, where you'll learn how to move all those never ending distractions aside and chase your dreams with confidence.

0:22

Well. Hello. Welcome back to the Distracted Dreamer. I'm your host Carlene and I am so happy that you are here today for this conversation. It is. The end of December. Uh, it's that space where we wanna think about fresh starts and new goals. But honestly, I don't know about you. Uh, I think a lot of us are just maxed out right now. I mean, between the holidays, the emotional fatigue and all the year end stuff, you might barely have the bandwidth to give your dreams, the airtime that they really deserve. I totally get that. So I thought. I'd help jumpstart those thoughts for you. Nothing overwhelming, I promise. Just a few loving nudges for some of your quiet moments. Maybe when you're wrapping up your day or maybe when you're having that warm cup of tea, or, you know what, maybe when you're letting yourself have that random, what if thought between. Tackling all the things on your to-do lists, so this is just a gentle, but a firm reminder that your dreams still matter, no matter your age, and it's time to stop discounting their value and yours. Now I'm gonna make a prediction about your 2026, and you're probably not gonna like it. So this is my prediction. In January, you'll set new goals and you'll say, this is my year, and you'll plan your projects, and maybe you'll try a new routine and you're gonna feel motivated, you're gonna feel hopeful, but by March you'll feel burned out again. And you'll be spinning your wheels. You'll be getting distracted, you'll be talking yourself out of it. Uh, you'll be telling yourself that you're too old or that it's too late, or my personal favorite, who am I to do this? And then by summer, you're gonna be right back where you started showing up for everyone except yourself. You are gonna be watching other people move forward while you're kind of sitting on the sidelines stuck, maybe frustrated, and maybe a little bit disappointed. Now, I'm not saying this to be harsh, I'm saying it because I've seen it happen and I've lived it, but I've seen it happen over and over again. It's the same story, it's the same cycle, and so obviously it gets us the same result, and you know the only ones who break outta that cycle. They're the ones who actually stop waiting for permission. They don't wait for someone to say, it's okay. You can go chase your dreams. Now, the other thing they do is they stop believing the lie that they're too old. You are never too old. And the other thing they do is they stop apologizing for wanting more. Who am I to want more? Today. I wanna take you back to a listener favorite, an episode that really struck a nerve when it first aired. It is called You're never too old to chase your dreams. Whether you're hearing it for the first time, or maybe you just need a little reminder, you're going to walk away with proof that your age is not the problem. Your mindset about your age might be the problem. This is your chance to rewrite the story of I'm Too Old before The New Year Even Starts. Find a quiet corner or maybe some alone time while you're driving and settle in for this Encore. It just might be the nudge that you need to make 2026 the year you finally say, watch me.

Carlene: 4:04

Today we're going to talk about aging. As it pertains to pursuing your dreams no matter what they are. So your dream could be to go on a safari. Or to be in great shape to play with your grandkids or to write your memoir or to start that business and be your own boss. Maybe to go skydiving or learn how to become a race car driver. Doesn't matter the dream. You are never too old. Here's the thing. You may have been in a career for 25 years that you liked, but you didn't love. And you started to crave to do something more, something that matters to you. Maybe it's the desire to be your own boss? Or maybe you've recently retired, but you found that you want something else to work on. Or maybe you've been a stay at home mom or dad, and now you're an empty-nester and you're ready to finally do something for yourself. Or maybe you were laid off or fired from your job and you thought, you know what. I don't want to do this anymore, but I know I'd be really good at this other thing that I've put on a shelf for years. So, if you can relate, this is the episode for you. Just because you're in your forties, fifties, sixties, or seventies or beyond. It doesn't mean that it's too late. So today we're going to talk about age and get real honest about if it's your age holding you back. Or your thoughts about your age? So stay with me for a moment. Because I see a lot of my clients show up to coaching. And without fail. They share some concern that they are too old to do something new in different. They tell me. They're too old and too late to the game. They feel as though they missed the boat. But that my sweet friend is just in your mind. And if we've learned anything. It's that our mindset. Can always be rerouted in reframed. And amen, because I know I've needed that. In fact, I got to just prove my point. That age is just a number. And if you're having an issue with it. It's really just all in your head. let me prove that to you right now. So let's talk about, renowned authors like Laura Ingalls Wilder, who didn't publish her first book until she was 65. That's when her little house series debuted, she was 65 years old. You read those books and you swear she's writing them in the moment. I never knew that I read all her books growing up. And so did my girls. And I've got them on my bookshelf, ready to hand down to my grandkids someday. What about Ray Kroc? He bought McDonald's at the age of 52. And he turned it into a global franchise. So those are both great examples. Of how your dreams, even the ones that you start pursuing later in life. Can literally impact and change other people's lives. So do you need more proof? Okay. Let's stay in the fast food area here. We all know Colonel Sanders, He founded. Kentucky fried chicken at 62. He had decades of cooking experience. And a relentless drive to refine his fried chicken recipe. And he turned that into a global franchise, even though. He had multiple business failures earlier in life. What about Vera Wang? Have you heard of her? She's a fashion icon. She shifted to fashion design at 40 years old. After years as a figure skater and a journalist. Her ability to combine her artistic sensibility with all the industry knowledge. It revolutionized bridal fashion. This is proof. That skills and creativity developed over time. Can lead to innovative ventures. What about Samuel L. Jackson? You know what? He didn't land his first blockbuster movie role until he was 46 years old. He wasn't like 20, he was 46. Oh, and I love this one because who doesn't love Julia child. She didn't write her first cookbook until the age of 49. So it's perfectly normal to change directions a second, a third, or even a fourth time throughout your life. If that's what you're feeling called to do. And I want to point out that age should never be a deciding factor when it comes to designing the life that you want. I was really moved to do this episode. Because I've been watching many of my friends and clients changing directions and pivoting. Whether it was their choice or life happened and forced the change. And, you know, what. I've watched so many of them. Do the uncomfortable, scary thing. And one of my clients retired. And he and his wife, they sold their house in their living, in their Airstream. And they're traveling across the country in their sixties. My bestie, she went back to school to get her master's in psychology and she has started her own private practice. Yes. In her fifties, going back to school. Holy cow. My husband, he retired from McDonald's And decided he wanted to help others in some way. And you know what. He now leverages all his skills and experience from working at McDonald's. And as a VP of supply chain for a food bank here in Tennessee. A mentor of mine. She started her own book, editing business in her seventies. Her seventies. Another one of my clients. She's a retired teacher. She started her own tutoring practice in her sixties. My point is, I want you to look around you. Who's shaking up that age mindset of I'm too old. Those are the people you want to pay attention to. The common thread here between all these people. Is that you can tell their mindset is one of optimism of abundance and of excitement. They're ready to see what the future holds because yes, you still do have a future when you're in your forties, your fifties, your sixties, your seventies, and beyond. And to be honest, sometimes starting our dreams a little later in life is a good thing because you bring all your life experience. And there are some clear advantages of pursuing your dreams when you're older. You literally have so much more to bring to the pursuit. Now this isn't to say that all of these are true for you. But I bet at least one of them is true for you. And that is something you can leverage. It is the reason you absolutely must pursue your dreams later in life. If that is where you are at. So here are five things. That actually give you a leg up on pursuing your dreams later in life. First. You have a much different perspective and more clarity later in life. As a mature adult, you have a better sense of what truly matters to you because you've lived a lot of life. Even if, or especially if you face some big obstacles in your life and who hasn't. It's these moments and challenges that show you what you're capable of. And they also, they open your mind up to possibilities and dreams. You may have never seen otherwise. And second. Believe it or not. You have much better decision making skills when you're older. Studies have shown that older adults are more resilient and better at emotional regulation. Which helps them more easily navigate challenges and problems. That come up when they're chipping away at their dreams. So when you're older, you're more intentional and strategic. When you're planning for your dreams. You're less likely to make impulsive decisions because cognitive research suggests that with age. Comes a better ability to evaluate the long-term outcomes. Third. Think about your network and resources you had in your twenties? It probably isn't anything near what you have today. Bye midlife. You have a much stronger network and more resources than you did earlier. And you can leverage these networks to support your pursuits. Isn't that great. And next financial stability is often more attainable later in life. And that makes it easier to invest in your dreams. And finally number five. You are actually more creative later in life. It's true. According to studies. Creativity does not peak in your youth. It evolves. As an older adult. You actually bring unique, innovative solutions to the pursuit of your dreams. Thanks to all of your experiences. And I'm here to tell you. And remind you that it's never too late to go after what you want. Never too late. But more importantly, if you're feeling a little caught up on age. Ask yourself. What's the alternative. Would you stay in a job that you hate? You continue to do something just because you're good at it. You stop learning anything new. You continue to be afraid of what other people might think of you. If anybody said to me, oh my gosh, you're 56 years old and starting a podcast. Who do you think you are? You know what. I'd consider the source. Because anybody who is doing anything big and courageous and exciting is not going to make that comment about you. So always consider the source. And let me ask you, what are you going to do? Are you just going to appease them and play small and remain unhappy? And I gotta be honest with you. People don't care that much about you. They don't and I'm not trying to be harsh here. But their comments, their judgment about you. Is really a reflection of how they feel about themselves. I'm telling you, I've learned this the hard way, because I've cared deeply about what people think about me. And it has never, never served me. And now that I'm in my, oh dear. I say late fifties, I can't even be in my mid fifties. I'm 57. Now I've finally gotten to a place where I care a whole lot less. I've had people comment that this past year, it seems like I'm a whole lot more confident. And that may be partially true. But it really is that I don't care to let what others think of me holds me back from pursuing my dreams anymore. So when I got sick in 2023, if you haven't heard the story yet, I had breast cancer and I'm fine now, but it gave me great clarity on what really matters. And honestly, what others think of me? It just doesn't matter to me anymore. I'm just living my life. I'm enjoying our new home, our friends and family. And I'm helping as many people as I can with my small, but mighty business. So don't worry about what other people are thinking. Your life and your dreams are waiting. You're not too old. You have to get on the other side of your fear. Or your judgment of yourself that you are too old. What have you told yourself? I will never say that. Or think that again. Yeah, maybe there are people younger than you living your dreams. And maybe they are, or will be amazing at it. But they don't know all that, you know, and they sure as heck don't have the experience and experiences you have. All you need to say is I got what I need. I'm good. I'm here. How fortunate you are to be here. I know how lucky I am. Another trip around the sun. I'll take it. I'll embrace that because it means I'm still here. It means I get to choose my dreams. I get to design my life. For whatever I want it to be. And friend, you can too. So I put off creating this podcast for years. I thought I'm too old who would want to listen to me? I've played small in my business because I see people younger than me dominating the online and coaching space. So I just wanted to share that with you because. If you are struggling with anything around your age, I want you to know that I get it. And I've been there and I know the insecurities around maturing. If you feel like you're stuck in your age is preventing you from going after what you want. Think about what motto can you adopt to get you out of bed every morning to work hard? To put yourself out there, not caring what people are thinking. And to keep all those limiting beliefs about your age at bay. Maybe it's this one. This is the one I want to share with you. When you have that thought, like I'm too old. I missed the boat. It's too late. What are they going to think? I want you to say two words. I want you to say. Watch me. You think I'm too old? Watch me. You think my time has passed, watch me. I use the, watch me a lot. When I think someone is doubting me or someone's closed the door on me. I have this little voice in my head and it says, watch me, it's fierce. It's a little sassy. And I kinda like that because I need that. So start using your fears as motivation to prove yourself and everyone else wrong. Did you hear that prove to yourself if you're having these thoughts and to everyone else that you're worried about? Prove them wrong. That this societal stigma. Of starting something big and learning something new at an older age is pointless. We're going to trash that right now. And who makes the rule on this sort of thing anyway. Because, let me tell you going after your dreams later in life, it's good for you. Yes. Good for you. Studies have found that pursuing your dreams at any age improves your mental health reduces stress increases your overall life satisfaction. And research by Dr. Patricia Boyle. Has shown that having a purpose in life is associated with a lower risk of mortality and chronic illness. In older adults. And what else? When you are taking a new challenges and learning, it keeps the brain active. Reducing the risks of cognitive decline. And that is a big problem for us. As we age is that cognitive decline. So I don't know about you, but sign me up for all of that. Better mental health. Lower risk of cognitive decline. Lower risk of chronic illness leading to a longer life of doing something I love. Heck. Yes. If you stop being afraid of being the oldest in the room, you just might discover you're the coolest in the room. So be that person. Dream your dreams and start taking action on them. Bring them to life because that's the only way they become your life. Now. If, you know, someone that's holding back because they think they're too old, get them this episode. Let's remind them that it's never too late. That the world needs their magic. That they deserve to experience the magic of traveling to new lands of learning new funds skills. Of creating and building things that they love. Let them know that we're not going to let fear or what other people think ever hold us back. Okay. Let's do this together. We're not going to play small. We're going to put ourselves out there. And we're going to do the things that light us up. No matter our age. All right. My friend, I love you to the moon and back. Thanks so much for hanging out with me and I will see you next time. And your dreams. Or waiting for you. Your time. Is now. And I can't wait to see you in the next episode. Oh, and one more thing. This is the legal language. You know, the stuff that the lawyers put together, and they say that I need to read this to you. So here we go. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. I'm just your friend. I'm not a licensed therapist. This podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professionals. Got it? Good. I will see you in the next episode.