There are only 573 different powerset combos (counting same combo on different ATs as different). It won't take you that long to get 573 characters to level 50, will it?
heh.
We have a ton of slots. Play around, when you find a character that really clicks - name, look, powerset, and just "fun" wise - stick with it.
<-- 170-some characters, at least one of each, including epics, to 50 heroside, and everything but a corr and VEATs to 50 villainside. It's doable.
If you're having trouble sticking with a character - find a regular group to play with, even if it's just once a week, and just use that character. You said, after all, you have one around 36. Find a good group to play with. Check your server forums and see who else would like to set aside, say, three hours one day a week to play just those characters (that should be a good chunk of a story arc, typically.) And just *do* it. Group stays together 'til everyone's 50.
I feel your pain. I have 1 level 50, and a boatload of level 30's. I also have a few teens.
It took me 2 1/2 years to get my first level 50 heroes. Now I got my 5 year veteran badge and I have a level 50 villain, too, and another hero very close (48 I think). And several in late 30s.
Some of us just like variety!
I have 2 schools of thought when it comes to getting a character to 50.
Make 2 or 3 toons that you really enjoy playing and force yourself to jump only between them. It helped keep my need for variety satisfied for a very long time.
Then I just forced myself to get a Brute to 50.
I really wanted a 50. I have 5 hero now and 2 50 villians. Well, i rarely play them. Personally, i think the fun is in the 30's. You have stamina, the best powers= fun. I play to 40, then get a new alt. lol.
48 toons, over a thousand character levels
1 red 50, 1 blue 50 
Altitis, gotta love it
One thign to note is on those 48 toons im only missing a handful of powersets and at least 40 of those characters have at least one power set unique to them. No character shares the same powerset as any other in the same AT either.
One of the reasons i love this game.
Crime of Fashion Level 50 Rad/Rad Corrupter
My Toons
My Rad/Rad Corrupters Guide
Mindscape - Reworking
Same here, CoF. Except for /storm. I have 3. 2 blue, 1 red. lol.
Sometimes I really just wish that games wouldn't have so much variety, I mean I do appreciate the plethora of choices we have in looks/Powers Usually I have no trouble with coming up with the Look of my Character, Once I choose what type of AT I finally want to play I can Come up with a Costume, Name, Backstory in minutes. I have basically been playing since release off and on and I have yet to level one toon to 50, Same thing happens to me in every MMO the only games I have gotten a toon to max lvl is when I'm playing with other people constantly and we have a reason for me leveling a certain toon or it was needed in a guild. The highest Toon I have gotten on this game I think was around 36 when I was part of a small theme based group, I guess that's the only way I am going to be able to finally get a max toon up there, which I definately want to have before Rogue is release. Well No Major point to this post i'm just bored at work and wanted to post.