Similar life, similar abuse, isolated self though for 5+ years whilst I worked on my past. Unfortunately turns out I only did the psychology of it. Find out in last year how numb i've been, and that now I have a lot of emotions need to process.

26 nothing in life, then met someone and now I want to build a life.
I feel the pinch of starting late, career especially, but only advice I can give without being hypocritical, is be yourself, but find yourself first.

When you're exploring interests whatever, that's when you meet real people, not people trying to impress. If you do hit the gym, go for yourself, not to "meet up" ya know?

Most of all, resist the temptation to rush! It's a killer!

Goodluck.