Honesty is the best policy.

[RottenPocket]

The feeling isn't all that unfamiliar here, you will find many people in the same place as you. I'm 24 as well and it can be hard getting a leg up so late in life when you're starting afresh and on your own. The only decent advice I can think of is not get so hung up about what others do, and will yourself to improve, not just lull and think about where you want to be.

Go ahead and start a thread in the Sketchbooks section. There are tonnes of people who'd be willing to help you get started.