Right you are, about your planets manifesting somehow or other, and that the key is to find empowering (vs. disempowering) uses of them.
With Venus domiciled in its own sign of Libra and conjunct Mercury retrograde, I wonder if you write very well, or have an artistic outlet such as playing a musical instrument. Venus generally rules the fine and performing arts.
Uranus-Neptune in the 12th house of self-undoing is not a good house for drug users, but it is a good placement for meditation, mysticism, or time spent alone to refine your artistic pursuits.
With Chiron conjunct your sun, I think it sometimes "hurts to be you," yet so many writers, songwriters and artists have learned to convert those feelings into memorable poems, songs, and other creative works.
No worries if you know you're not headed for an artistic career: there are a lot of happily amateur artists out there.
Then you've also got that domiciled Jupiter in its own sign of Sagittarius in the 9th house-- of overseas travel, higher education, theology, and other activities that expand our mental horizons. Are you able to travel and does it appeal to you?
To me, your 8th-9th house focus gives you the soul of the philosopher who wants to dig deeply, to understand life's mysteries.
You also have a domiciled Mars, the traditional ruler of its sign of Scorpio, with Pluto there, as well, as Scorpio's modern ruler. You also have Saturn and Neptune in mutual reception (Saturn is in Neptune's sign of Pisces, and Neptune is in Saturn's sign of Capricorn.) All in all, you have a strong chart, and can go far in your chosen career, once you set your mind to it.
If you are not a university student now, I hope you can become one, as it should appeal to you. (Maybe not right away, if you are unlucky enough to get boring professors, &c; but courses that stretch your mind.)
Neptune deals with unreality, and it can be tricky. It gives beautiful illusions followed by bitter disillusionment; missing the reality in between. It is the planet of "follow your bliss," yet if that bliss is sought through substance abuse, Neptune becomes treacherous and gives the addict. A healthy spirituality is a good use of Neptune, as are the arts like film and theatre that require illusions to convey their message.
If we think about it, a film should mean nothing more than images on a screen, created by sound specialists, make-up artists, cinematographers, special effects, and costumed actors. Yet we know that a great film is far more than its bits and pieces. So here is a positive use of Neptune's illusions.
Neptune was the Roman sea god, and I have seen charts of people who love sailing with a prominent Neptune.
Uranus can mean sudden upsets and even disasters, but its positive meaning is liberation. Perhaps you can think of some area of your life, in which you feel restrained for no reason other than fear or habit.
The list goes on, but I hope this is a start.