I figured this might be motivational for some of you younger folk or are getting discouraged with your writing dreams.

Don't forget that you don't have to come out of the gates running full force and straight into your dreams. Sometimes, it takes time, and sometimes, it's not going to be until later in life when you fully reach your potential. Just don't give up.

This is really awesome and makes me feel a lot better, thank you! <3

"Not all those who wander are lost." --> I love this quote. Haha.

This is really inspiring. Although they say that 'Never Give Up' is so cliche, for me, this is what keeps me moving especially when there is no silver lining in sight, yet.

Thanks so much for this post! I am 45 years old, and have pretty much been a housewife and mom all my adult life.  I had planned on going back to school once my kids were up and grown, but that never panned out because I was deemed ineligible for financial aid, and on top of that having no real job skills and I went deaf at 40. So, I haven't been able to even buy a shit job.  (Dealing with life as a deafie has been one hell of a rude awakening I have to tell ya!)

I've always had a really good vocabulary, grammar and spelling skills...so I decided to make my own job. I'm not making hundreds or thousands of dollars a month, but at least I am doing something and I enjoy it immensely. 

Hoodoo, what an inspiring story ! ! I am almost 70, struggling to survive on my meager SS pension, and can't do even a part-time regular job because I have a bad heart (working at under 25% now). So, necessity, that mother of all invention, has been motivating me to find things that I can do from home, at my own pace and schedule, and within my abilities.

For some time, I enjoyed raising Designer puppies, and had my own webpage to sell them from. There is nothing like seeing a happy family going home with their own adorable puppy cuddled in an enraptured child's arms !
Often, they sent me pictures and happy reports of how their new family member was doing. One lady went on to take her Shorkie through the necessary training to be able to visit with people in hospitals and nursing homes.
Mr. Fletcher even has his own little wagon and goes in the local parades.
(when I figure out how, I will post pictures)

As much as I enjoyed this, it finally became too much for me to do physically, so now I am looking at trying to become one of those freelance writers who writes short articles, and makes money from doing that.
I have looked at several of these, but am just having trouble figuring out how to start and what to write.
Hopefully, Creative Burrow is where I will find my next pathway in life's journey.

Good on you guys for continuing to truck on instead of giving up, because you've both found some happy place to be it sounds and that makes me happy!

I'll post some tutorials later on for how to post, etc.

I feel that seeing this excellent motivational chart has come at just at the right time for me.  For years I've gone from pillar to post, sometimes full of inspiration, and other times completely lacking in confidence.  I don't think it helps to be too far one way or the other. 

What I've learned over the years is that sometimes life is a slow burning process.  It may seem that everywhere around you people are achieving their dreams and goals, whether it be in their writing, their artwork or music, and you seem to have stayed where you are.  At these times it's helpful to take a look at what you've already created and how much you've grown in your work.  Use this to keep you focused.   

Never, never give up!

I think I saw it when I needed to as well. Means a lot!

I know I read this before, because i already posted on this thread; but I just read it again now, and it is inspiring this time, too !
I am looking back, even just since I started here in Creative Burrow, and I can see my little changes that have come already in my life. 
I started writing on Bubblews, so that gave me a new place to express myself. I am hoping they will pay me, as it seems like an if and maybe kind of a website, but i know at least two people on there who make money on a regular basis; so I will persevere.
I have also started my blog on Google blogspot. Although that is not going to produce any financial rewards; it makes me feel good that i am writing down things from family history that I remember, so the Grandkids can read it and learn more about their family.
Additionally, almost every story that I put in the blog, is also suitable for posting on Bubblews, so eventually, the blog will make a little money from that exposure, as well.

As I read and learn here, and enjoy the advice from others here who are more experienced than I am, my confidence is growing about what i am able to do, and maybe that is in itself, the best reward...

This is a really inspiring post. Before I pursued my love for writing, I used to study pre-med. However, when I realized that my true love is writing, I shifted to journalism. My parents were angry at first, but thankfully, they understood that I will only be truly happy if I will be free to write and express my feelings.

I'm a frustrated writer.  I started writing when I was 14 yrs old. I was just so frustrated because my favorite character in a specific anime did not end up with my preferred character. I found out that there is such thing called 'Fanfiction' wherein everything could be made possible. It gave a sense of control over things. I was not just able to make my anime fangirling dreams come to life, i also entertained other people. It feels awesome.

This is very encouraging for those who may feel like they are not where they need to be or thought they would've been at this point in their lives. One of the things I really love about being a writer is, you never get to old to do it.

Thank you for sharing that image with everyone. You have to walk before you can run and sometimes I think we all forget that. It is hard to remember that dreams do not happen overnight and that you really have to work hard at making them happen sometimes. A year ago I never thought I would be writing and then I learned all about how people are successful at doing it...even without a degree!

I have a love-hate relationship with writing. It's a tiny flame in my heart lighting the path I should take, but, being a self-saboteur, I squash my dreams before circumstances turn miserable and I realize another dream must die because it's not who I am or the direction I am meant to go. I've wasted so much time. Why don't I just risk my heart and pursue my dreams of writing? Tis better to pursue and fail than to have never pursued, leaving yourself wonder what could have been.

My mother always called me a dreamer when I was growing up because I always had ideas for everything. Some she thought would never turn into a reality, and some didn't, but there was always the dream. She would get frustrated sometimes because she was afraid I would be crushed because I had so much passion behind my ideas.

You could always try writing part time and keep your dream alive while still keeping your life in a realistic state. Even if you don't make it big with your writing, you could pull in a little extra income.

I think that is just the best idea ever, Rosy !  It is always important to do thethings we need to do to survive; but that should not stop us frompursuing a drream at thesame time.
When I was working at a job I totally hated, and trying to figure out how on earth to get out of that place and do something different than working in a huge kitchen feeding 100 people every day; I had a friend who was retired and lived on her social security. She supplemented her income by raising and selling Designer Puppies.
I love puppies ! !  I figured that if i could do the same as her, I would still need an income, but it would not have to be working in that kitchen.
I started out by buying a pair of adult dogs from her, which she let me pay every week until theywere paid for. Eventually, they had a little of adorable puppies, which I sold, and then invested in another female dog.
Over time,I was able to leave the awful job, and take one delivering a small bulliten and selling ads for  the bullitin; which I loved doing ! 
It was a slow process; but it got me out of the job I hated, and into doing something that I loved. It just took time, effort,and patience. 

Yes, you can always start a new career before you end the one you are at. It is possible to do if you devote some time to it. I would love to raise some puppies, but unfortunately I do not have the space for it. I am not sure I would be able to sell them or give them away either because I have a special place in my heart for little baby animals.

Arts and crafts, and writing have always been my passion in life so I figured that I could work on those for a while and still have a paycheck coming in from an external job. It is a lot of work, but I hope it all pays off someday and I can feel like I never have to work again. It would be the ulitmate dream for me to sit home and write and work on my crafts...a girl can hope right?