my brother is 6 yrs younger then me and has been a doctor for 10 yrs married with kids and here I am kickin it in a pair of sweat pant hoping to rekindle the fire
It's NOT a competition so kick that mentality right OUT of your head!
It's all about doing what YOU want and need to do! SO WHAT if it's taking you longer than other people, or longer than you originally wanted/anticipated. No-one else has been on YOUR journey, no-one else has lived your exact life. Look at the POSITIVES of having changed up your life for the better. Do NOT beat yourself up over the past, learn the lesson and move on.
Remember: When you KNOW better, you DO better. Before, you did NOT know how to cope with that man in your life. NOW you have kicked him to the curb and you will cope JUST FINE.
If '40 is the new 20', then you are JUST GETTING STARTED. You can expect another 40 years (most of it with a career)! Good for you!
I was 40 when I accomplished my dream (being a Mom). I have just left my STBXH of 19 years THIS PAST MAY, and am starting over at 55yo! Back in my hometown, first job in 10 years (was a SAHM), able to help my family members, and TRULY HAPPY for the first time in YEARS.
Go GRAB your new life...see it, do it, grab it!
Good luck to you and let us know how you're doing!