How do I stop this parity with iCloud and gain access to my own drive creating my own independent file structure like it used to be?

If you mean that you want to turn off the "Desktop & Documents" option of iCloud Drive, see the following from Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support

Turn off Desktop and Documents

1. From your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Settings. In macOS Monterey or earlier, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences. 
2. Click Apple ID, then click iCloud.
3. Next to iCloud Drive, click Options.
4. Deselect Desktop & Documents Folders.
5. Click Done.

What happens when you turn off Desktop and Documents

When you turn off Desktop & Documents Folders, your files stay in iCloud Drive and a new Desktop and Documents folder is created on your Mac in the home folder. You can move files from iCloud Drive to your Mac as you need them, or select all of your files and drag them to the place you want to keep them.