Just like (Liu) you
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of ‘Older Not Over’.
A lot of 'inspirational' late bloomer stories are often very aspirational, so I wanted to share a story that proves changing direction later in life is truly attainable, no matter who you are.
Let me tell you about Liu Ziqing, a 63-year-old from a small village near Baotou, China. His story is a perfect example of how it’s never too late to turn a lifelong dream into reality, no matter where you start from.
Ziqing always had a soft spot for ballet since he was a kid, mesmerized by 'The Red Detachment of Women' a Chinese ballet that made its debut in 1964. But life as a farmer and street cleaner meant his ballet dreams had to wait. But at 53, when most people think about slowing down, he did something unexpected: he started learning ballet.
“I had been thinking of dancing all those years. One day, I saw a ballet basic training course on TV, which sparked the idea that I should try to learn to dance,” Ziqing said in an interview.
Starting ballet at that age is tough, but Ziqing’s story is about more than just dance. It’s about the courage to make a big change, regardless of your age or background. Even his health improved. “In the past, I had stomach problems. After dancing regularly for the past decade, the stomach issues have mostly gone away,” the 63-year-old ballet dancer said.
“When I am in this class, I feel like those young students, as if I have become young again,” Liu added. “I am now doing what I wanted to do when I was young.”
His story is an encouragement for anyone thinking about making a change. It shows us that with enough determination, we can redefine our lives at any stage. It starts with a small step—or in Liu’s case, a quickstep (sorry, I couldn’t resist). Liu didn’t quit his job or take a huge risk; he first validated the idea. No huge risk, just enough courage to take a chance.
Whether it’s ballet or something else, it’s all about taking that first step towards what you love. After all, life’s a dance of possibilities, and there’s always time to learn a new step.
You can read the full story here https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3240442/most-wonderful-period-my-life-china-street-cleaner-63-chases-ballet-dancing-boyhood-dream-impressing
3 more Liu’s to inspire you this week
‘People are gobsmacked to see a 51-year-old woman driving an HGV’
After her marriage ended, Julia Jones finally pursued the career she’d always wanted. Love this story. Drive on Julia!
A Nurse explains why it's never too late to chase your dream after career change
Angela Berry changed careers and became a nurse at the age of 40, “You are never too old!”
https://www.irishmirror.ie/lifestyle/nurse-explains-its-never-late-30800979
‘Believing that one must achieve everything on the first try is a mistake’: The art of being a late bloomer
This a fantastic piece on ‘Late Bloomers’ and challenging the societal expectation of achieving success early in life. Will be re-reading the quotes from this a few times in the coming days.
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X marks the spot
Every week I choose a post from ‘X’ (I know, I still find it hard not to call it Twitter) that contains an amazing thread or question to ponder around the themes of this newsletter.
This week is a wonderful list of well-known faces who you may or may not have known chose to change careers late in life. Some of the names will really surprise you!
What I’m reading this week
In this edition of ONO, I’m recommending a special selection of articles from the October 23 edition of ‘Psychologies Magazine’
As you take time during the Christmas break to reflect, it's not uncommon to question the path your career is taking. The selection of articles gets real about it, with Kim Morgan and Rachel Schofield chipping in on whether it's just holiday blues or a sign you're ready for something new regardless of age. They've got tips on sorting through those niggling thoughts.
If you're looking for a nudge in the right direction, dive into the full story in the magazine. It's packed with advice that might just help you kick off the new year with a fresh start.
To read the full sections you can purchase a copy of the magazine here.
Before I sign off…
Before we sign off on today's issue, I want to pause for a second and look ahead. 2024 is on the horizon, and I'm curious about you. What's on your mind as we approach the new year? What would you like to see more of in ‘Older Not Over’? Your insights, stories, and ideas are the heartbeat of this newsletter, and I'm here to listen.
And there's something in the works: 'How To Be A Late Bloomer in 2024.', a series of thoughtful questions and concrete steps for those of us ‘40 and over’ looking to stir the pot of change. Whether it's a shift in your career, a new passion, or a different way of living, this guide is about making those moves with intention.
So as we close out today, take a moment to think about what you want from ONO next year. I'm all ears via info@oldernotover.com
Take care,
Alan
Thanks for reading! If you have found value in this edition of the newsletter, or just want to support the content I’m producing, you might consider buying me a cup of coffee!