Sorry! I wrote out this long reply for you but I recently downloaded an app that tracks the websites you waste, I mean spend the most time on and TFO was like #1 on that list. So, it blocks me from accessing the site too much
Anyways, I think its awesome you are taking your time to figure things out. If I could do it all over again I would take the community college transfer route. My sister did this and not only ended up at one of the top universities in California, she had the opportunity to really delve into her interests and saved a ton of money. However, if getting a degree is required for what you want to accomplish, it's important to do this in a productive way, meaning a full course load that is balanced with courses that interest you in addition to those required to transfer and/or graduate.
I think part of the reason for my current rut is that I went straight into a 4 year college with a declared major and got sucked into what I was "supposed" to do without really thinking about whether I wanted to do it. I am still interested in working in the psych/gerontology field--so, thankfully I landed somewhat in the ballpark of what I want to do although not in an academic setting as I had originally planned. I am also an awkward penguin so could not imagine being a professor either
Right now, I'm looking into taking some art classes and volunteering at the shelter to get some experience that I can then apply to my dream career that I've been repressing, which is doing art and pet therapy for later life adults with depression or Alzheimer's : D
