When I was growing up, schools and parents definitely taught there was a certain trajectory in life one needs to take in order to be successful. I knew very early on this didn't work for me, one size doesn't fit all.
I'm currently at an age people don't expect me to be looking into art schools and programs (especially right now during covid times), but I'm reminded of my own time in college meeting women who were the age I am now and how they inspired me to never give up. Some of the women I met living in the dorms were in their 40's starting over, going through divorces and right smack in the midst of life awakenings. Some actually thought they were not capable, or even permitted to pursue their college educations, so it's impossible to forget what their shining, proud faces looked like on graduation day.
I'm never too old to do whatever it is I want to do, in spite of the odds of me finding any commercial success. And, frankly, as far as I'm concerned, my odds of succeeding both financially and emotionally are pretty fucking great!
Not to mention, it's a thrill to be learning all sorts of new technologies and techniques in photography! Art world is fascinating and moving fast. Gotta enjoy it while I can.