What exactly are you doing? There's so much to that game, play time doesn't convey as much as it should.
I'm level 26 and focused on Aard, Quen and Igni, with Alternate modes, buffed light and strong attack with buffed criticals, 2 Greater Blue Mutagens and a Greater Red Mutagen, buffed alchemy poisoned blades, and I'm up to Superior level with all Alchemy and Crafting. I've missed a few recipes, no doubt, but I have enough Bombs, Decoctions, Potions and Oils to be prepared for any fight. I've been able to take on Contracts 10 levels higher then mine with little trouble because of it. Hard to be threatened by a pack of higher level Drowners when you can chug a potion that will make them bleed just by being near you, and f**k them up if they so much as touch you.
That, and I have the Superior variants of the Wolf, Bear, Cat and Griffon armor sets, with matching swords. Some of it is out of my level, so storing it until I can use it, just wanted to get it all done and out of the way. Superior Griffon gear is f**king beautiful, but I can't wait to get to level 30 so I can use the Bear set. It's beyond sexy.