Introduction

The Late Bloomer's Journey to Greater Later

Bevy Smith, a self-proclaimed "late bloomer" at 55, shares her journey of discovering her authentic self, proving that "it does, in fact, get greater later". Once a successful fashion advertising executive at 38, jet-setting and seemingly living a dream life, she realised she was only pretending to be happy. This moment of awakening led her to defy expectations and embark on a path less travelled, drawing inspiration from her remarkable mother, Lolly, and learning valuable lessons along the way.

Let's dive into the powerful lessons Bevy discovered that can help anyone on their own path to authenticity.

Summary

Bevy marvels that "Little Brown Bevy" from Harlem is now an award-winning radio and TV host, an author, an actress, a creative consultant. She’s in her "Mama I made it" moment, showing up as her "most Bevyest self" because she’s "done the work". This means she’s "vibrant and boisterous," and a "tell-it-like-it-is approach to life that’s always dosed with a ladle of love".

It took her 55 years to get here, making Chris Rock’s "late bloomer" comment accurate, but Bevy embraces it. She concludes with a powerful affirmation: "I’m right on time, Because it gets greater later". Her journey is a testament that discovering and embracing your authentic self, no matter your age, is a journey worth taking, and the rewards are profound.

The Power of Not Settling

Lolly’s number one lesson, and arguably the bedrock of Bevy’s transformation, is: "don’t settle". While many equate settling with a "humdrum" job they hate, Bevy discovered that even a "well-paying, glamorous career" could be a settle if it didn’t align with her true desires. At 38, she quit her fashion advertising job with the intention that "every day be a great adventure". This meant embracing the scary parts, like being broke from the age of 40 to 45, but she...