Charles,
Congratulations for being honest and putting your hand up whilst thanking those helpful fellows in ATC.
Remember regardless of how much experience you have, every flight is a learning experience and some more than others. You foolishly got yourself into a situation, dealt with it, survived and are happy to share your experiences.................a trade mark of a good pilot in the making.
We all are never perfect, some just like to think so more than others.
You probably will never allow yourself to get into that situation again, but don't be surprised of hearing others doing exactly the same as you for ever there are aircraft in the sky.
Just make sure the mistakes you make are calculated ones and that you sit down and learn from them everytime.
I look forward to observing your IMC test very soon. I'm sure it will be a joy.
If we didn't test our abilities once in a while we would never learn!