I think we all suffer with this "paying your dues" part of learning the guitar. I just recently had my epiphany where with a slight adjustment of my thumb a titch lower on the back of the neck allowed for me to FINALLY have all 6 strings ringing true. I always practice too quickly and just decided to slow the heck down and look at my mechanics.

This adjustment also allowed me to realize how much "unnecessary" tension I had in my hand and when the tension was released it allowed me more flexibility and independence between all of my fingers. Baby steps.