My lack of money as a twenty six year old.

Don't worry what others are doing. Focus on your own finances and getting out of debt. It's great that you started to pay more attention to your money!

 

Wisdom comes with the years.
Now you may have a hard time, but you have learned you better are without financial debt.
Do you have a payed job so you are working of paying off the debt?

 

Have you written, and are you sticking to, a budget?
Do you have a timescale for paying off your debts? Make it realistic and based on your circumstances right now - you can change it later if you have promotion or a side business takes off, etc.

Most 26 year olds are dirt broke, just become the dirt broke guy who is in control of his finances and has a plan to get on top of things soon.

 

The way I like to think about money: earning more is difficult, spending less is much easier. If you have a minimalist mindset you can never be poor.

 

You've made a start a lot of people don't make.

 

You’re 26.

I’d recommend reading some self-help finance books— the faster you get your money game together, the better. But no use in getting bent out of shape over it.