Better late than never—an expression woven into nearly every language and culture—reminds us all that there is real value in showing up eventually rather than not at all. The phrase itself traces back at least to the Latin proverb potiusque sero quam nunquam, as found in the writings of the Roman historian Livy, and later appeared in English thanks to Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. The message is simple, but it carries powerful implications for how we view time, setbacks, and second chances.

Let’s talk about the pull of early success. Social media and modern culture sometimes suggest that if you haven’t achieved greatness by 25, you might have missed your shot. But look beyond the flashy headlines, and you’ll see that reality tells a much broader story. Vera Wang didn’t design her first dress until she was 40, after careers in figure skating and fashion editing. Samuel L. Jackson didn’t get his breakthrough role until he was 46, but went on to become a Hollywood giant. Author Frank McCourt published his first book at age 66, and it became a Pulitzer Prize winner. These well-known figures are not exceptions—they’re proof that the path to meaningful achievement is rarely straight or speedy.

In fact, late blooming isn’t just possible; it can be an advantage. According to recent stories collected by madeupmind.org, Haruki Murakami became a novelist at 29, Leonard Cohen released his first album at 33, and Gladys Burrill became a marathon runner at 86. Each of these individuals broke through when they were ready—not when society said they should.

But societal pressure to follow a linear timeline is real. It can whisper that missed deadlines or detours mean our dreams have an expiration date. If you’re listening right now and feel like the window has closed, remember that history, art, science, and everyday life are filled with people who started late and still changed the world.

Don’t let the calendar dictate your ambition. Every day brings a chance to begin again. Better late than never is not just a saying—it’s a call to endure, to try, and to trust that the best chapter may be the one you write next.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI