I've struggled with mental illness most of my life. It's why I dropped out of school, dropped hobbies, never learned skills I always wanted to. 

Recently, a lot of my depression has revolved around age and not being able to pursue my dreams.

I always wanted to act and be involved in music. I've done some theatre and can read music, but dropped out when the sixth grade band instructor told me to "pretend to play so I don't mess the rest of the band up." Things were bad at home, and I had just recently gone through my first suicide attempt, so i didn't practice much. I felt so embarrased. 


 I know these can be done at any age, but to start learning at 28 is so late in comparison to most. I still live at home, I never finished my associate's.

I guess I'm looking for encouragement and support to remind me that life isn't over after 30. That despite my mental health preventing me from learning these things in the past, I still can, and can still thrive. Its so hard when society and these industries in particular are so obsessed with youth :/


Has anyone here learned something later in life? Found success? Does anyone work in these industries and seen success in them for older people?