1. Most people in this situation, including myself, suffer from some slight mental illness. This tends to get better, ON IT’S OWN, with time. 2. You are unaware of how young you are, and how much time and opportunity there is. All the “grind it out” advice below is correct. Be productive and work your way up. You are a late bloomer. 3. You can learn something useful from almost experience and job. Be sure to graduate to something new at the proper time. 4. Your reverses, bad choices, bad experiences of your youth will become increasingly irrelevant, EVEN IF THE MEMORIES REMAIN VIVID. 5. While I do not want to emphasize competition, I was able to surpass people who were much more successful than me professionally in other areas, like investing. I chalk this up to the non-coddling effects of having to solve real life problems without a secure professional cocoon like tenure or a government pension. Take heed. Difficulties provide compensatory skills to those who work earnestly.