Marjorie, 60
Marjorie, 60, had worked in Asda for 15 years when she was made redundant, and before that, she’d owned her own bakery. Having lost her husband to cancer at the age of 45, she was used to being independent, and prided herself on staying out of debt since 1971. She tells us:
"Back in 2008, I was working in our local supermarket. I loved it actually, had loads of friends, and I always used to keep them entertained with my storytelling. They’d say to me, “Marjorie, you should write a book!” and we’d laugh. When I was made redundant that year, I realised I was sick of working for other people. I thought about what would make me happy, and what I was good at. Then it came to me: telling stories.
"Before I started, I thought it’d be best if I brushed up on my writing skills a little, so I found a course in creative writing. I finished it in six months, and had an absolute blast. Still, I doubted whether I’d actually be any good, but I surprised myself! I never knew I was a writer until I sat down and started typing. The piece I submitted for my coursework was even published in Reader’s Digest! Now, I work part-time in my local newsagent’s but writing is my main passion; I’m halfway through writing my own Mills and Boon-style romance novel, and two publishers are interested!"
“I never knew I was a writer until I sat down and started typing.”
What can we learn from Marjorie’s story? Well, when it comes to finding your purpose later in life, you might have been missing your true calling all along. Is there something that friends and family often say you’re good at? Perhaps there’s a certain hobby you’ve always thought you’d be great at? Now is the time to explore it; you’ve likely hidden talents you’ve no idea about! Unless you try, you’ll never know. Furthermore, you might have a natural talent that you can explore and develop through further training and guidance from an expert.