While I doubt my experience is even remotely unique, a variety of experiences (and perhaps genetics) from my childhood, teens, etc. left me in my 20s as an outg

While I doubt my experience is even remotely unique, a variety of experiences (and perhaps genetics) from my childhood, teens, etc. left me in my 20s as an outgoing but (very) insecure person. I was constantly seeking but failing at relationships. I had dropped out of college, and was flighty and inconsistent with my career. Maybe I'd come out of all that just by time passing / aging... but I decided to read about the things I was failing to accomplish. Having a self-identity and the integrity to maintain my identity when faced with challenges. Understanding boundaries in relationships. Learning how to accomplish tasks at work and succeed in projects. I suspect a combination of the bad experiences, surviving them, learning from mistakes and the things I learned from books all contributed to an overall more capable person. I gained confidence, stability in relationships, greater diligence and sense of responsibility at work. Not everything is sunshine and roses. There's still a long list of projects I dreamed of or started, but failed or abandoned. But the list of people that seem to trust me and seek me out for "adult" advice has grown. In many ways, I am not the picture of American success, but I am happy with what I've done with myself, with the potential I've tapped, the relationships I've built, and so on. I think of myself as leaning towards the side of being discontent with unpleasant circumstances that I'm capable of changing. There's plenty that's bigger that I might not be happy about, but by having a clear picture of your locus of control, the gist of the Serenity Prayer applies. And improving your self is top of the list of things you can change.