Christ man, we're the same age but you're just so much more of an adult than I am, haha.

I don't have any stories about patience, paying off for me, I think that requires more foresight than I'm capable of. I'm sure there are times I should have acted sooner but none are really coming to mind right now.

I find myself in a similar situation as you except I think it's mostly fear that's keeping me where I am. For the last year or two I've had dreams of backpacking around Europe, trying to survive off busking and working in hostels, or trying to find a cheap place to live in Holland or Spain. The only problem is that I'm comfortable where I am, and to follow through with any of my ideas requires me to give up that comfort. But I think, even more than comfort, it's the fear of failure that's really keeping me here. That, and a lack of money, haha.

Anyway, I hope you can figure out what you should do and that, whatever you choose, it works out for you.