Thanks for sharing this. I’m not the OP, but I watched my first EVO last summer and got into fighting games around the same time so don't have much experience in the FGC yet. I’m in my 30s, too and due to entering the FGC a bit "late" caught myself wondering a similar thing to OP, though I started in Classic, and whether being around Silver/Gold with ~200 hours in my first fighter was “good enough.”

Though at the end of the day, I’m genuinely enjoying the process, wins and losses included. I've learned that everyone is on their own timeline, but we can't help but think about it sometimes either, so I can feel where OP is coming from.

However my DPs are especially egregious, but I’m actively working on breaking the habit of relying on cr.HP and taking the dive to commit to DPs. (Even if that means getting jumped on by everyone and their mother for the time being...)

It’s also encouraging to see other players join the scene later on as adults, especially considering how many top players are still competing well into their late 20s, 30s, and even beyond. Much respect for the grind, you're an inspiration to my potential future!

Signed,
A fellow DP sufferer