Sorry to hear that. Hope all is well now. I was a hairdresser for 7 years after not doing so well at school. I admit going back to education after not doing anything for awhile was tough but honestly its like riding a bike. Its something you learnt how to adapt to from a very young age and after a few weeks you wonder how you ever had any worries.
About the feeling different now, I think thats a positive. You know exactly what you want now, and are less deterred by things that get in your way. Many of the friends i grew up with are now married with children in stable jobs, houses etc. Sometimes it makes me sad by comparison but in other ways the freedom of opportunity is a nice idea to hold onto. As we grow up I think we lose the belief in magic. Im not talking tricks, maybe just we become a bit jaded through past negative experiences. A good deal of naivety is a good thing to keep in my opinion. Hopefully that doesn't sound pretentious or contrived but I'm quite a reflective person!