I’m a 35-year-old loser, and there’s no getting around that fact. I spent all of my 20s and half of my 30s doing almost nothing productive—smoking pot, watching porn, playing video games, smoking cigarettes, getting drunk, and never taking the time to invest in my future, my finances, skill sets, or knowledge bases. It’s not that I have no knowledge or skills, but none of it’s very marketable. I recognize now that the number one piece of advice I can give, especially to those in their 20s, is to start early. Every year you don’t invest in yourself is a year you’ll never get back, and it’s one less year you’ll have to play with later when you finally decide to get your act together.

As you age, your options shrink rapidly. In your 20s, you might have the luxury of taking a couple of years to explore different career paths, but as you near 40, you have less time to research and develop what you want to do for a living. I’m not saying it’s over at 35 or even 45, but the reality is harsh: the older you get, the less energy and time you have to pivot or start anew. Even if it’s a boring field with good earning potential, do it for a decade until you’re 35. You’ll still be young, with experience and money saved, giving you the security to pivot to something you love. I’m in a terrifying position now, with no real marketable skills, no degree, and living at home with my mother.

I’m scared, lost, and full of regret, but I’m trying to figure this out. Don’t wait until you’re 35 to realize you have nothing. You’re there to help them make money, and anything that undermines your ability to be an asset doesn’t matter, no matter how justifiable your reasons are. If you’re in your 20s, take my words to heart: get started now, because time goes by a lot quicker than you think. I’m not giving up, but I’ll always be struggling more than I would have if I’d acted sooner.