Bonniciwah, Steve's experience is very typical - the older you are the harder it gets, so no point in delaying.
Having bad days however, isn't age dependent. All you can do is get back on the bike and learn from your mistakes as there's little room for time out to lick your wounds while on course. Easier said than done because ATC is very much a confidence game. Obviously you need to the skills as well, but skills without confidence doesn't work.
tmc44, 'fraid so. I think flying experience makes for a better controller, in that you gain some understanding of what's happening on the other side of the microphone but that's more a nicety than an essential.