Well, I feel for me at times the doors are open and at times they are closed.
For me it is a lot about the things I do (or I did) to myself to ensure to stay where I was.
Like buying a house.
All the little pleasures that enslave me.
It could be traveling which at times is an expansive activity, but also can be something I do to tackle an item from the to-do list.
I don’t know about opportunities.
I have of late made peace with my job. With my station in life.
I may try to go and push again later, but I also learn to pause. I mean. I don’t want to be the crybaby who doubts his talent, and I won’t. But maybe this is a lot about timing.
I know this (and I suspect that Medium is a lot like the external world) is a lot like a popularity contest + how much the algorithm promotes our stuff.
Of course, a certain level of talent must be there, but the algorithm is subservient of the interest of the platform (have you noticed a lot more recommendations on current affairs than before?).

Hopefully the opportunities will come again, Sally. And hopefully we will be able to use them. And we will go with peace in our hearts knowing we did the best we could at the time.

Sending you a big hug.
Pablo