Starting Over Again

 

Even if we older individuals have many successful experiences to look back on—and can proudly share the lessons learned from both our failures and achievements—those stories still belong to a unique past. When we step into a completely new and unfamiliar field, our past experience often doesn’t help much. We inevitably hit walls, fumble in the dark, and struggle like awkward beginners all over again, lacking the relevant knowledge or skills. In moments like these, I often feel as if I’m grasping at straws. That’s when the insights, experiences, and know-how of younger people—who could be my children and have already found success in their fields—become incredibly valuable. I, too, am currently challenging myself in a new area. It's honestly an embarrassing stage, one I don’t feel comfortable talking about yet. Still, I choose to see it as an opportunity for growth. Instead of complaining, I want to keep trying, keep failing, and somehow keep moving forward.

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