Originally Posted by: BJCL

It still seems like an unobtainable mountain but here I go...

It's really not BJCL. I am older than you but similar in start and stops between 17 and 55 years of age. Then in Jan '19 I decided I was going to practice 1 hour per day every day. I have not missed a day since. I practice early morning before starting my work day.

There is no magic or mystery to this, just work. Methodical - repeptitive work. Start at Fundamentals https://www.guitartricks.com/beginner.php

Take your time. Don't quit, even when you want to because you can't make a chord. Work every day. It will come together.

Good luck.