"I've always wanted to play guitar", she said, "I'm eighty-one years old now and I thought that if I was going to do it I'd better get started". Then she laughed a little and we got to work. I taught her for a little over two years.
Len was a retired university professor who had played on and off for 40 years. He no longer played as well as he had so we went back to an earlier level and picked it up. It came back quickly and then he started making some real progress. He continued lessons until he moved from the area several years later.
Larry was in his early 40s and divorced. He would come home from the office and immediately pick up the guitar and practice for 30 or more minutes. He told me that it replaced stopping to have a couple of beers. It was a buffer between his work and his private life.
I could honestly tell these stories all day long. Example after example of mature adults taking lessons for several years and becoming quite good. Of course they were never as good as they wanted to be or thought they should be. They play music for the simple pleasure of doing it. There is no expectation of a professional career.
These are people who want to play music because it's fun. Often they keep this activity to themselves. Only their immediate family knows. Others want to play along with their friends at campfires or other social events. Still others want to play at church.
My wife has recently taken classes in making stained glass objects. Cutting, soldering, etc. I have artist friends who regularly teach painting, drawing, to enthusiastic adults. There are writers workshops offered periodically.
The desire to express yourself artistically in not unique. The biggest stumbling block is the student thinking that they are too old, untalented, incapable of learning, etc. "You can't teach an old dog new tricks". But you are not a dog. You can learn new things. The joy of the journey is the true purpose. Don't deny yourself. Pick your art. Find a teacher. Enjoy yourself.
Anna was in her early 20s and working at a daycare center. She thought that playing songs for the children would be fun. "I'm probably the oldest student you've ever had", she said shyly. "Not even close", I smiled. "Not even close......"