In other words... Once you screw up, how to you begin to fix it? How do you retrace your steps as an adult to go back and repeat or repair the things you didn't do right the first time around?

Everyone's life is off the normal standard track. That is what makes us all different. I think you are wanting a life that you believe you missed out on. I know that feeling. Let's use my first love for an example. I am not with him anymore, I missed out. Can I ever get my first love back, never. But, I can find someone else. You see what I mean.

For starters, stop trying to find square holes to fit your round ass in. Not gonna happen. Just look for the round holes :) Dropping the pursuit of something you are not will save you lots of valuable time by allowing you more time to take advantage of strengths rather than perceived weaknesses. Whoever said great minds think alike is a fuckin' liar. Great minds think completely different than others and that is what makes them great. You did not go down the beaten path because it would bore you to tears. Like someone already pointed out , most roads are more crooked than they seem on the surface. With that said, all of of us are capable of adding to the set of tools we already possess. If formal education is the issue, ask yourself if it's a lack of knowledge in certain areas or is it just the lack of paper saying you have the knowledge. There is a huge difference. I could go on for days on this topic because it is relevant to me. My life has been anything but "normal". I will cut myself short by saying, it is never too late to make a change. I know too many people who have radically changed their lives at varying ages.

What's normal? I've never known anyone that I could describe as normal. Everybody's wierd in some way. As far as fix the past, you can't. What's done is done. Just take it as a lesson and don't do it again.

I will tell you what I did! Formal education ended because I had to eat to live. No one would support my education. Worked in different companies till I could start my own. Meanwhile I used to do a whole lot of courses which were short term and which could get me Knowledge and not certificates or degrees! Quit everything and left town to set up in an upcoming location.Started something which my wife showed interest in, viz.Garment showroom. But to supplement that I needed formal education. Did evening classes in Fashion Design. Became a fashion designer at 44. When I sat with youngsters in the age group of 18 to 20, I felt great because I was the only elder person. Supported the business with various management courses also. Finally also taught entrepreneurship to youngsters. Today my wife and son handle the business which has grown. I left this worldly life to take up spiritualism and now I teach students about that. So the answer to your question is not to give up hope and age is not a bar on knowledge. Do what appeals to you and be happy in that. Work towards a fixed goal, it works! Take help of knowledgable people. Believe in yourself! Have a nice day!

You can turn around any situation Thyself. Be strong, make a goal with a time line and ally others with your goal. (nb: I got a Masters degree at age 37 and my wife had her first child the year I was taking pre-degree courses. Her heath declined in my first year and my father died the in my second year of the program and I just kept going.) Do it!