When did you learn to take yourself seriously?

When did you learn to respect what you do?  Were you able to take your interests seriously in your teens?  Follow your bliss in your 20s? Were you in your 30's before you realized that it was okay to seriously commit to the study of obscure 17th century romantic tapestries?  Are you still trying to take yourself seriously?  Commit to something that feels not respectable?  

I think about this kind of thing a lot.  I'd love to hear your stories, and I'll tell you mine, over time.

Thanks.