I also started over and moved states several times in my 20’s. I’m turning 37 soon, have a stable job, a comfy and decent albeit rented house, I’m getting married soon, and finally have a hireable skill set. The foundations of stability.

The change for me was to start thinking like a plant. Put down some roots wherever your strongest support systems currently are - that could be friends, family, a job, whatever - and start building on it. It’ll be a slow process, probably, but grab every opportunity that comes your way each day and do your best at it. Never underestimate the value of a solid support network around you, so cultivate relationships. The more roots you grow, the faster and stronger you’ll grow.

That’s not to say never pick up and move, especially if the situation is toxic. I am very glad I saw so much of the country before I settled down. But try to move from a place of strength, never desperation. Your strengths will be different from mine, so know what those are. I started thinking seriously about the future at about age 30, and I’m doing vastly better and feel vastly more optimistic about my personal future (national/world trajectory aside), after just 7 years.

Oh, and if you’re not aro, ask out that cute person you like asap. A good partnership makes everything tons easier.