Dear Fellow Late Bloomer,

Starting a new hobby can be tough. The constant criticism and utter embarrassment can be emotionally exhausting at first, but you'll get used to it. Ignore when people say, “You’re too old to start this.” Shake away those doubts when they creep up every so often. Believe in yourself, because you will only fail if you aren’t ready to put the time, effort and heart into this. But I know you are.

Take it from me. When I was 14 years old, I told my mom I wanted to dance. Clearly puzzled, she could not understand why I wanted to start up a hobby so late in my childhood, but agreed to one jazz class. That one class has since changed my life in the most beautiful way I could imagine.

I will never forget that very first class – it was downright humiliating. Not only was I surrounded by nine-year-olds, but I was clearly the worst one by far. I was often overlooked by the instructor, confused beyond belief (what the heck is a pirouette?) and placed in the very back corner for routines. Nonetheless, I somehow carried on and eventually learned to cherish Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00-8:00 P.M.

That one single class led to making the high school dance team, which led to a club hip-hop dance team, which led to a college dance team, which finally led to a Division 1A, third-in-the-nation competitive college dance team.

The journey was anything but easy. I endured the harsh truth more often than I would’ve liked. You will, too. Nonetheless, I never gave up. In fact, not once did it even cross my mind. Sure, I had to practice a hell of a lot more than other kids, but that’s what got me so far. I was incredibly determined and never stopped trying. I’m not saying that I’m the best at dancing now, heck no. But I will say I’ve grown a whole lot from where I’ve started, and I would never forgive myself if I endured all of that negativity for nothing.

What I’m saying is: stop spending your time loathing and being envious of those who have that raw, natural talent and start working to become one of them. Whether you’re 25 and an aspiring gymnast or 40 and want to learn how to sing, then go do it. Take some lessons. Watch videos. Work hard. Practice a lot. Don’t let society whisper, “It’s too late,” because it isn’t. You are not limited by your age. In fact, your limits will only expand from the amount of dedication you put into something you love, so don’t find yourself merely wishing you would have, should have, or could have.