I kinda relate to this. I'm 26 now and made a choice to quit a mainstream job a couple years ago. I've found my own way of keeping myself afloat by doing what I love. I'm happy on this road, but crave collaborative experiences. Some of my designer friends work on group projects, but everyone I know is always busy with something else. I've been meeting more like-minded people though. Most recently through a Permaculture Design Course where there were 3 of us in our twenties. Just gotta keep trudging along and hope that I find the right tribe, which is slowly happening. You're certainly not alone on this train of thought and hope that years later we can be the wise old people offering solace to younger generations.

Also, you sound like exactly my type of gal, if only there weren't several oceans between us, lol. :)