To feel like I’ve wasted my life

I second the teaching suggestion. If you like helping people, it's an ideal sideways move. I did it, so I didn't feel like I'd wasted a portion of my life getting my masters in law. You can always teach in Further Ed, like I did, if you can't handle the kids! A lot of employers know what law degrees signify, in terms of transferable skills. You will be fine.

You are 26 and have quite a useful qualification - nothing wasted there. Although you may not want to practice your qualification may come in handy through other paths - for example if you become involved in the charity sector and build up experience there, a legal qualification teamed with charity experience would make you very attractive to numerous boards.

You have your life ahead of you - nothing wasted and everything to play for

@WastedMyPotential ok.
Take a deep breath.
What is the NHS job? Does it involve years of training?
If yes - scrap that and find a job you can start now that doesn't involve years of training. Decent wage and set shifts so you can have a good work/life balance.
If your parents are happy for you to stay home - stay home so you can save money.
Join social groups and hobby groups, join apps for making friends/dating.
On your days off just get out there make friends, meet people. Have fun.
Be honest with your goals when you meet someone (so you don't waste years with a bloke who isn't interested in having children).
Be confident. You can do this.

You are about to qualify as a solicitor, that's by all metrics remarkable.

Go easy on yourself, stop. Chill. Do something low pressure for a bit, save a little money and then do a little travelling. You've earned a chance to reflect further and break out of the bubble you are in.

Look, you’re 26. It took me till I was 30 to even work out what I wanted to do with my life-and another 5 years to get there. Take a deep breath, take some time out and don’t panic. You’ve got at least 40 years (likely more) to figure things out.

You're 26, with 2 degrees and on minimum wage as an almost qualified solicitor? That's utterly ridiculous. I'm angry on your behalf, that makes no sense.
You're young and have plenty of time. Don't waste time on regrets, hold your head high and go out and get what you want.

Really, being a mum and married isnt at all easy. It's not as simple as loving and being loved because other factors intervene. And you are only 26!

If you want to fuck it off and travel then why don't you?
Do it on a budget, pick a backpack up and on your way for a while. Have a breather. It sounds like you're trying to make your family happy. Then come back and settle down.

Go in house, it's much easier. If you go into investment banking, funds industry, you could have a nice easy number, good pay, holidays and big pension.

Tech industry and AI regulation will be huge.

I studied international law but it wasn't for me. I travelled Europe, married in England, have one child and drink coffee, living the big ideas through reading, rather pondering the fail of my ambition. Plough on

I changed career entirely in my mid 30s, went from Engineering to Teaching.

You are young, intelligent and have time.

Why not travel and work somewhere else?

Phew! Because that would have been way too much work to throw away on a whim.

Congratulations! You have a professional qualification. You don’t have to use it - but it may well smooth the path to other things. (That’s what I’ve found, anyway.)

You know what? You’re probably mentally exhausted. Get some rest. And know that you won’t always feel this negative about your life. This too will pass.

Honestly, I could have written something similar to this. I spent my 20s working in the legal environment and ended up hating it and moved on. It can be soul destroying. You're so young. Just try something new x

Interesting you say that. I have a husband and 2 young kids and I always think about how I’ve wasted my 30s being exhausted and stressed from being parent. Grass isn’t always greener.

How about teaching? You've put in all this hard work! Could you make use of legal expertise in the NHS ? You've done so much more than most people at 26. Don't sell yourself short

I did a law degree and decided that law wasn't for me - so didn't do the training - but the law degree opened up all sorts of jobs and job interviews that I'm fairly sure I wouldn't have got a chance at otherwise. I've ended up fairly senior in a regulatory position and have done drafting work as well. It was a roundabout route to get here, via teaching english as a foreign language and other things - but in my 50s I look back on a varied career and it's been fine really.

What I would say is that don't beat yourself up about it, try and focus on what you do enjoy - people interaction or maths or whatever and follow that. The NHS has huge amounts of opportunities.

Also, put money towards your pension now...eventually it may go towards a house instead - but keep going with it.