It can be depressing if you only focus on that, which is why you must always try to think back to what your level was at some point in the past. When you looked at hiragana and saw squiggles, or when you flicked through a manga and only ever looked at the pictures. Doing that will help get you back some perspective.

One thing I can say though, with some positivity for you, is that the first year or two are the hardest along your journey. After that, progress becomes easier. You will have a realisation at some point that, even though you're not perfect, you can somewhat get by with basic conversation. Then after that will come another realisation that you understand most of what is being said in casual chit-chat. And then that you just read a manga without really trying. And so on and so forth.

So, by all means be aware of your 'place', but don't think about it too seriously for the first year or two. Hard study and exposure everyday over a period of time is necessary to become accustomed to a new language like Japanese. Throw yourself into it and before you know it, you'll have emerged at a higher place as if by accident.