Conflicted Daddy Heartache

I've always been the kind of person who wanted to be a father figure, a daddy, even before I transitioned. In my 20s, after years of being that supportive ear for friends and family, I finally dove into DDLG with someone who needed guidance and discipline in their life. It's brought me immense joy seeing them grow and mature under the loving but firm rules we've set together. But there are days when it feels like a charade, like I'm not truly being seen as an adult man, just filling some outdated stereotype of what a daddy should be. We started this journey at a time in my life when I was feeling quite lost and adrift, struggling with acceptance both internally and externally. The role brought structure and purpose to my existence. However, now that I've found more stability and happiness as the person I am today, those same duties and expectations can feel like a heavy cloak dragging me back. I worry about whether this is because I’m not truly living up to being seen and respected for who I really am or if it's just part of the emotional ups and downs of these kinds of relationships. So my question to you all out there, in your various experiences and wisdom: Is it common for daddies to feel this way at times? And how do others manage such feelings without compromising their bond with their littles?