light weight!
4 years? Try 8 years just to get a CPL issued back when you needed 700h to get a CAA one! This included 4 years on and off unemployed and low wage jobs in the 1990s recession when BAE was laying off 5000 Aerospace engineers a month and my fellow Aero Eng students had just graduated.
You just happened to start dreaming at the beginning of a recession.
Even if you manage 12 h flying a year in any heavier than air machine the dream can still live on!
Give up if you want to but perseverance can pay off even if it takes 10 years longer than you wanted.
How about this chap -
In 1831, Abraham Lincoln failed in a business venture.
In 1832, Lincoln was defeated as a candidate for the state legislature.
In 1833, Lincoln failed once again in another business venture.
In 1835, Lincoln's fiancee died, shattering him.
In 1836, Lincoln suffered a nervous breakdown.
In 1843, Lincoln was defeated as a candidate for the U.S. Congress.
In 1848, Lincoln once again was defeated as a candidate for the U.S. Congress.
In 1855, Lincoln was defeated as a candidate for the U.S. Senate.
In 1856, Lincoln was defeated as a candidate for U.S. Vice President.
In 1859, Lincoln once again was defeated as a candidate for the U.S. Senate.
In 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th President of the United States of America.