Would you look at that-
the incorrigible dan m turns out to be corrigible after all.
How are you man? Long time no spar.
This may sound odd, but I'd wager that this is one of the best things that could have ever happened to you.
To borrow from Jesse Livermore, ignorance in your 20's isn't exactly a structural defect. And coming to realize that pride is a waste of time- really understanding it deep in your bones- is a valuable lesson worth its weight in gold. Putting aside the macho bullshit (AND the false humility bullshit, which is just as bad) is a wise thing to do.
I don't feel sorry for you at all, Dan- I feel excited for you. It sounds like your eyes are starting to open and your life is really ready to begin. (I do feel sorry for others on this board, though, who would rather nurture a fantasy than face the highs and lows of real life.)
It won't take you long to realize, if you haven't already, that trading isn't a be-all end-all, that there are countless ways to get rich (or just make a good living), and that making money is a means to an end, nothing more. And ironically enough, that's the best attitude to have towards trading in the first place, which you can come back to pretty much whenever you want (always plenty of research to be done while you're rebuilding that stake).