The “I wish I had” mentality and excuse seems so common in conversations I have with people. I can’t be too quick to judge though as I have fallen victim to this as well. The concept that the optimal time to take advantage of an opportunity has passed is an easy way of convincing ourselves that we shouldn’t pursue it at all. The years pass and it becomes another item in the “I wish I had” pile.
Interviews of elderly people have shown again and again that at the end of our lives, we regret most what we never tried. If you missed the opportunity to start something years ago, don’t continue missing the opportunity to start it today. The hardest part is initially taking action but it’s worth it in the end.