The Power of Late Beginnings
- Amalia Caetano
- Dec 10, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 27

Life doesn't come with a timeline. Dreams don’t expire, and neither should your desire to achieve them. Your journey is unique, and your timeline is your own.
One lesson stands out when I reflect on my life: Life unfolds at its own pace. While many people may have their timelines set by their 20s, I learned that pursuing your dreams, starting over, or changing paths is never too late. My journey didn’t follow a conventional timeline, which made it special. I began University five years after my peers finished high school. I achieved my first childhood dream in my 30s. I found the love of my life in my 40s and changed careers in my 50s. Due to my self-motivation, even with life challenges, such as the death of my parents, I push myself to be motivated and move forward.
Even if you feel you're behind, your timeline is perfect. At first, I felt out of place, but as time passed, I realized this was my path. That delay gave me maturity, focus, and purpose I wouldn’t have had in my younger years. I didn’t find my true calling until much later, proving that our timelines are as unique as ours.
Embracing a late start with Gusto.
Embarking on my University journey five years later than most of my peers was not a delay but a unique path that allowed me to gain invaluable life experiences. Interestingly, by the time I was about to start my University education, I had already witnessed my friends' graduation ceremonies and absorbed their stories and insights. During this period of observation and reflection, I discovered my true calling.
In those five years, I worked, travelled, and learned to adapt to life's challenges. These experiences shaped my resilience, giving me a focus I wouldn't have had if I had followed a typical path.
Contrary to feeling behind, I realized that the timing was perfect for me as I had acquired a level of maturity and clarity of purpose that I might not have had earlier. This newfound sense of direction and determination stemmed from a significant event in my life - the passing of my mother. Her departure catalyzed me to delve deep into my aspirations and set meaningful goals. Thus, my journey to University was not just about academic pursuits but also about personal growth, resilience, and a profound sense of purpose that continues to drive me forward.
After graduation, I pursued my dream of working and living overseas, achieving it effortlessly in my 30s.
During this settlement period, when I worked as a Housekeeper at a high-end hotel in the country, I decided to immigrate. I continued to improve my English, gaining enough vocabulary to explore the new world I was introduced to. As my nature, I started to develop a network and was introduced to some software applications that help you connect with people with similar interests. I learned from these groups about the places we were hiking and having dinners and coffee, and I began to develop connections and friendships; one of these friends became my love in my 40s.
Finding love in my 40s was not only about meeting someone but about being ready for love in a way I hadn't been before. My earlier experiences shaped me into someone who could give and receive love authentically, which made it all more special.
In my 50s, I found myself facing the challenges brought on by the pandemic, a situation that instilled fear in me as I pondered the uncertainties of life. Working in the hospitality sector for years, I had ventured into starting my own business only to have it come to a standstill due to the restrictions imposed during the lockdown. It was a period of reflection and introspection, where I found myself questioning what the next chapter of my life would entail.
During this time of uncertainty, I reached out to various resources and pursued new opportunities. Surprisingly, I found myself transitioning into a completely different field: technology. This new career path proved to be a rewarding experience that I am immensely grateful for. Despite my background in sales and my dormant technological skills, someone who saw potential in me discovered and nurtured them.
Embracing this change, I delved into technology with enthusiasm and determination. Learning new skills, adapting to a different work environment, and overcoming challenges became a part of my daily routine. The transition from the hospitality sector to technology was not without its hurdles, but the growth and fulfillment I experienced along the way made it all worthwhile.
Technology wasn't just a career shift; it was proof that we are capable of more than we think. It was daunting at first—new tools, new terminology—but every day, I pushed myself to learn, and in return, I discovered a passion I didn't know I had. It's never too late to reinvent yourself in a completely different field.

There is never a time that is too late for you, too!
Starting later didn’t mean missing out; it meant gaining the perspective I needed to truly appreciate what I was working toward. In my 30s, I achieved my childhood dream, and it was far more rewarding than if I had reached it sooner because I had the wisdom to embrace it fully. Every late start gave me a new level of clarity, resilience, and appreciation for life's unpredictable journey.
Society tells us we need to have everything figured out by our 20s, but life doesn't work that way. Embracing a later star has shown me that the timeline doesn't matter; what matter is being ready for the moment when it arrives. Late start allowed me to savor every achievement, and now I see that there is no rush - only my journey.
Maybe you feel like time has passed by. Perhaps you’ve buried a dream so deep inside you that you’ve forgotten it was there. I’m here to tell you that it’s never too late. Whether in your 30s, 40s, 50s, or beyond, the best time to start is now. The only thing standing in your way is the belief that it’s too late. It isn’t.
Your journey starts now. Take a moment today to reflect on one dream you’ve set aside and write it down. What is the smallest step you can take today to move toward it? Remember, life doesn’t come with an expiration date on dreams. You have the power to start—right now.
We must calm our minds to listen to our heart's desires. In the following posts, I will explore meditation techniques to help you achieve a calm state and open your heart to talk to you. Until there, I will leave you with my favour Mantra, by our forever Louise Hay:
" I am an open channel for Divine ideas to flow through me, and the creativity of the Universe is now expressed through me. That which I need to know is revealed to me, and wherever I need comes to me. I am Divinely protected and guided, and my way is making smooth and easy."
Keep dreaming; I'll catch you in the next post!
The Spirit Curve by Amalia Caetano
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