Instrument rating
No, sir, you are not alone. I struggled with my instrument rating. It took me a while to earn it and here's why. I took all my ratings from instructors who owned their own airplanes. I took all my BAI, radio navigation, approaches, everything, in the airplane. In fact, I never flew a sim until I got on with Riddle and was introduced to their AST-300s. Riddle instructors got free sim time. I practiced on the sims and I was amazed at how my skills improved.
Another obstacle I faced is I was working a horrible overnight shift for most of the years I was earning my ratings.
I could write a book on how NOT to train for the career.
In short, as the PIC ad says, the airplane is a terrible classroom. Ground trainer training is essential to instrument training. Also, as that ad, says you need a regular schedule. I am somewhat skeptical of total immersion, accelerated instrument courses, but having activities three to five days a week is not unreasonable at all.
Hope that helps.