If you happened to read my post in the Poker Journal section on here titled, "Taking The Leap Next Year", you are already aware that I will be pursuing poker as a full-time occupation by the start of next year. Things have to be accomplished first before I take poker on full-time, like saving a certain amount of money for both my bankroll and living expenses, getting back into good physical shape through exercise and eating more healthy, and also create a more balanced type of lifestyle that won't just be totally focused on poker. I'm in the midst of doing these things, but I am encountering some setbacks. First off, both my parents totally disagree with my future aspirations and think it can't be done. They think I should just keep it as a hobby and continue working full-time at my father's business, which is a great business overall, but it's never been for me. I've been working there on and off now for quite some time. It's a family ironwork business. We assemble and install custom hand-made, hand-forged iron railings, fences, gates and etc. for Upstate NY and beyond. 3rd generation family business and potentially 4th if my cousin and I decide to take it over one day. My cousin is very interested in doing so. Me on the other hand, not so much. What I take away from working there though is learning work ethic, responsibility, and discipline. Traits that will carry over to whatever I choose to pursue next. It's just kinda disappointing not having the support from your parents, but it's understandable because in reality, no parent wants to see their son or daughter lose money, which can happen playing poker. They just don't seem to know that I will be treating my poker career, if you will, like a business. I'll take what I learned from working at my family business and apply it to poker and it's lifestyle. And second, I do seem to be in somewhat of a mental slump. I haven't been motivated to exercise or even eat healthy for a little while now. I know that in itself is clouding my drive, but I'm having a hard time getting out of this slump. I've been in slumps before and made it out, but this one is lagging on and I don't know why. All and all, sometimes I feel that I've been running bad for quite some time and wondering if my luck is gonna change for the good. With that said, I am optimistic about my future and think poker will work out for me one way or another. It's just a matter of weaving through these obstacles beforehand that will make me feel a lot better. Just venting a little.