I really enjoyed reading your story because it shows how much persistence can change the way we see ourselves. I think one of the biggest lessons is that improvement comes from consistent practice, not from being labeled as "gifted." Once you start understanding how different ideas connect, learning becomes much more enjoyable. I found that breaking concepts into smaller pieces helped me a lot, especially with topics like number relationships and basic operations. An article I came across in the middle of my own learning journey, https://esingaporemath.com/blog/math-fact-families, explains this idea in a simple way. Your experience is a great reminder that effort and curiosity often matter much more than natural talent.