Wish you all the best in reaching the goals you have set for yourself, but don't try to overdo it. Going forward in life and working hard is important, but so is trying to enjoying everyday life.
Anyways thanks for everything. Can't ask for better people to play with.
summer 2013 tlih was a great time. You were always one of the people I enjoyed playing with, glhf irl
your situation also feels very familiar. Dota is always there and it's the easy way to kill some time instead of practicing a language, coding a personal project, reading a paper...
My only comment is that I find myself playing much less when "better" options are readily accessible (i.e. when i'm studying abroad - enjoy korea btw ^^). This also makes me question how good of a choice dota is to begin with.
Didn't play with you but kinda knew you through mutual friends, you contributed a lot and seem like a good guy with a level head. You'll be good going forward.
Hopefully you wont ever read this. Its not easy. One of the biggest steps is of course taking the decision to stop playing. What you need to focus on to be successful in this transition is not only to not playing the game. It is to changing your every day habits and creating new ones. As you said you spent time reading about and watching dota as well. Do not do this either even if it is less time spent on dota it can lead you back to your previously unhealthy every day habits. It kind of is like a heroin addict drinking beer, seems harmless at first but when you go from the beer to vodka we can all imagine what happens next.
Even such a small thing as checking the latest competitive result an activity using less time then a couple of minute everyday can be bad as it will keep dota in your head. One of the reasons dota is hard to quit is because most of us are still trying to figure out new ways to win even when we are not actively playing. Another reason why its hard to quit is the social part its fun to play with friends and making new friends. Try finding other activities where you can do just that.