Learning in adulthood
I keep thinking about this question and never getting a consistent answer.
I've seen some pop science claims that the ability to learn drops off after age 18, age 25 or age 32. Other people suggest it never really drops off, but what if you don't have much of a base to start with?
I'm in my 30s and have barely ever learned anything effectively. I've never completed any kind of rigorous intellectual work or thought (studying, etc. I've studied but not hard). I've never mastered a skill (but I have spent years struggling or acting mindlessly at a base level), or overcome any kind of meaningful challenge. I struggle with retaining information, much less connecting things that aren't extremely obvious. I have very few instances of making connections between things on my own, and never had a philosophical or metacognitive thought in my head until someone prompted me to in young adulthood.
Before anyone asks, yes I'm employed, and decent at it (though my work is probably 80% repetitive action and simple recognition) and I have no diagnosed developmental disorders or learning disabilities. I did fine in school, although my actual education was extremely lacking.
Meanwhile, I'm bored. But I have zero faith in my ability to learn anything to any meaningful level especially because I'd basically be starting from zero, with no mental "tools", at a huge cognitive disadvantage. But I still want to have hobbies, interests, maybe a better job, all of which would require learning skills that I don't think I can. I need some kind of advice, or else a breakdown of what's wrong with me.