#1, don't give up and don't get discouraged. We've all had problems in one area or another and I imagine that lots of us have thought we had the worlds record in hours spent on those problems.
Have you ever thought of trying your X-county a little at a time. First time just fly out a little way, then back. Next time go a little further and back. As you succeed in each smaller trip your confidence and skill will grow until you can't wait to try the "main event" again! Pick LARGE landmarks that you can see a long way off, then smaller ones in between, and I, for one, HAVE been known to choose landmarks just a few miles apart when they were something that I knew would help me along. I fly in Upstate, New York where everything looks the same, woods and mountains and 100's of little lakes that all look alike. I utilize every instrument in the plane, VOR, 2 if I have them, and I really like the ADF. But you can get there with only a map if you plan ahead and don't panic when things don't look right.
I never thought I'd get my PPL and now I'm working on my Commercial. If it takes me longer than most, I'm ok with that. I'm having fun and always learning something new, and that's what counts. DON'T GIVE UP, and remember to HAVE FUN!!!! <img src="smile.gif" border="0">