Professionally I always did well and I had a veneer of respectability. My parents died young and I don't know if it was because of this, but for whatever reason I had no grip on being an adult.
However, personally my life was a car crash. After leaving university, I promptly decided I had to have all the trimmings of adult life and plunged myself into heavy debt. Car loans, store cards, credit cards - I had the lot. It all came crashing down of course and I couldn't pay vital bills or even get myself into work on a couple of memorable for the wrong reason moments.
I took the sensible approach of burying my head into the sand and I just let the car wreckage continue. A trust fund meant I could buy a small home but I didn't look after it. I didn't look after anything I had: drove cars uninsured, had one taken away by the police, let the house get into a disgusting state (partly dirt/mess but also not keeping on top of stuff that needed doing.)
I won't dwell.
But two years ago I decided to change. My credit report is improving - it's 'fair', soon it will be 'good' :) I've paid off vital debts, I never let things like car insurance lapse, I prioritise bills.
Best of all I've been putting spare money into home improvements and I now have a gorgeous house. Everyone comments on how nice it is. It's a pleasure to keep nice.
So - AIBU to be pleased and horrified? Pleased I've finally sorted myself out but upset it took me so long to realise?