I've been where you are, and, well, I've only gotten so much further ahead due to dumb luck. The world itself is a far more complicated place to be in than it was a long time ago, and getting ahead and moving on in life all too often is a result of being at the right place at the right time.

I spent most of my life in an anxiety-ridden state, unable to do much until a few chance encounters got me out of that dark pit. It is true that many more than usual are having a hard time progressing in life and hitting the usual checkboxes, but with the advent of the internet and many other things, socialization doesn't work anywhere near the same it once did even fifteen years ago.

The most important personality trait in getting through times like these is perseverance, keeping yourself together when all seems lost. There are many like-minded people to yourself, as you've said, but they do indeed keep to their bedrooms, as it were -- you might have more luck looking around online communities at first, rather than trying to meet people in person. Those more inclined to do things outside will tend to be extroverted, while introverts typically prefer an environment that they can disengage from at a moment's notice.

I've been a fan of your work for... Close to twenty years, now? It is amazing, how time flies.

Despite all that's happened, I'm glad to see that you're still around.