For the first time in my life, I just discovered that my uber-tiger-parenting Asian parents did not buy me a toy in my entire childhood.

Zero. Nada. None. I did have a few toys as a child, but they were gifts from friends, never my mother or father.
I also went through my entire grade school without playing a single video game.

I've spent years in therapy and I'm in a relatively happy place now. I am going to Vegas this fall, my downswing notwithstanding.

My parents who are in their seventies now are still healthy, yet they have basically been housebound since the beginning of the pandemic.

I don't have time to waste. I literally had no time for myself growing up. Every single waking moment was devoted to study or chores.

If I get COVID so be it. I've been vaccinated three times, I've done enough.

I don't need toys now.

But I quite honestly don't know what to make of this latest discovery. It's an unresolved feeling.

Good luck in Las Vegas, Solomon! As far as parent issues go, there's nothing I can tell you that a trained therapist hasn't already gone over. My biggest problem with trying to play for a living was keeping my ass in the seat for 30+ hours, week in and week out.

Your parents gave you a highly structured life, but it will be up to you to provide your own motivation for the upcoming grind. No one's going to check on you to see how many hours of study you've put in. And you'll get no calls from the casino asking why you haven't shown up at the tables yet. Being free, truly free, for me was the biggest obstacle. I hope that you're able to have much more success than I had.