Your story is similar to mine. I took guitar lessons when I was 18 in high school. I did not stick a with it and ended up putting it away. About mid twenties I tried again for a year. About nine years ago gave it another go and put it away again. A couple of years ago I picked up the guitar again. I went thought some method books and YouTube before finding this site. Now I'm playing in a church band strumming away and my picking is getting better.
A few tips which helped me. Get a metronome! I cannot stress that enough and use it with every lesson and song. It builds timing, speed and accuracy. Another is learn songs. Short methods you learn from lessons are to build fundamentals. But putting that fundamental into a song will help. Also experiment with the lessons, try using different patterns, cords and fretting. Lastly take your time and enjoy learning and playing the guitar. It will come to you.