So, long story short, at my local 1/3 live game, I won $3000 in one week, but then hit a downswing because I just started "calling" everything and ended up losing probably $700 to $1000. But now I'm wanting to go back and play again because having the extra money would be nice and I feel I'm just that much better than the competition, despite my own leaks and flaws.

What are some recommendations?

FWIW, I'm 28 and have been playing since I was 13, though it was mostly play money and I'm kind of new to this realm of real money, so I'm having to plug all the leaks in my game and get rid of the bad habits I've created from those play money days.

Also, overfold > overcalling? Right?

"because having the extra money would be nice"

storm clouds ahead for someone that admits having leaks and bad habits. only play with money you can afford to lose.

Sounds like winner tilt to me. Follow bankroll management and the money will follow.

First, don't play to win money. Play to play well, and make quality decisions. When you start worrying about booking a win and protecting your winnings, you play passively. You focus more on making the nuts, and not losing pots when you miss. This happens a lot to tournament players when they pull ahead, it happens to cash players when they go on a heater.

Second, keep analyuzing your play. Keep asking yourself 'Regardless of the outcome, did I play that correctly? What was my game plan? What style am I using, and what image am I projecting?'

Third, go read Jared Tendler's 'The Mental Game of Poker'

Fourth, recognize that play money is not even remotely the same game as real money poker.

Fifth, keep objective. Do not fool yourself into thinking that one big week means that you are a winning player. Maybe you are, but a lot of people get sucked into the vortex of chasing a win streak after one or two heaters. Make sure you ask yourself why you are winning as much as you ask yourself why you are losing. People tend to credit positive variance as skill, and negative variance as bad luck. This allows them to make the costly mistake of thinking they are better than they are.

So, in summary, analyze your play, not your wins, stay aware of how and why you make decisions, understand why you are winning\losing, and be honest with yourself.

Combine that with good bank roll management, and you will be fine.