[potta_coffee]

I'm 34, I've recently had to learn a ton of new stuff, some that I really didn't want to learn (asp.net? From the early 2000's? Yuck). Also lots of more complicated things - I'm flooded with information daily and it's a chore keeping up.

I almost always have the feelings you're experiencing in the beginning. The trick is to sidestep the mindfuck and keep trying. Ignore that dissonant feeling that comes with not understanding. In my experience, success is a function of grit more than anything else.

Also, a practical strategy that helps me to push through issues like this, is to get out a spiral notebook and a pen and to break the problem down into small chunks, and try to tackle those one at a time. If I'm really stuck, I'll write a list of all of my problems, with a space underneath. Then I'll think about the problem a little, and write a possible tactic to try for solving the problem. It sounds stupid but it really helps (I'm just applying the [Feynman Algorithm](http://wiki.c2.com/?FeynmanAlgorithm=) here).

Finally, 32 years is not old. You're just barely hitting your stride. I'm 34 and I've recently discovered that my experience is valuable, and gives me an edge over my younger peers. You're only as old as you feel. If you stop believing in yourself, it's a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Good Luck