Based on your "sister female hobbyist's" reference I'm not sure that you are aware.

Agreed on (almost) all counts! I’ve told a few clients, I feel like I’m part of the hobby too. I wouldn’t be here doing this if I didn’t genuinely enjoy it, and when I reach that point, I’m ready to stop. But right now it’s fun and envigorating.  

Where my opinion differs is on the topic of civvie dating. I still want that “traditional happy ending” (haha, I know), to end up married and content. I won’t be able to do that with someone who doesn’t accept that this is part of my life, so while it will certainly be difficult, I don’t think it’s impossible. But that’s just in my circumstances, where I’m ready to stop if I find someone I want to be serious about.  

But to your main point: I wouldn’t say that all providers are hobbyists, because certainly some of them hate what they do, or at least don’t get true enjoyment out of it. I do think there are more than just the two of us out there, though

I've given this a lot of thought over the last 5 years that I HAVEN'T been in the civvie dating pool and have come to the conclusion that it would be highly unlikely to find that unicorn.

Given that I want something "beyond vanilla" in my sex life, as I've explored in p4p over the years, it would be quite difficult to return to civvie dating expecting to find the ONE woman I feel that connection with who is also into multi-party play, loves giving and receiving of backdoor play, would play with tgirl providers in the 3some, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I like vanilla as well -- but I want the other flavors, as well. Trying to find THAT combo in the civvie world? I get mentally tired just thinking about all the hoops through which I would have to jump.

I never stopped seeing civvie women.

 
The hobby is nice and all, but sometimes I want to chase some tail, and it's just not the same when you're paying for it.