De-synching Documents and Destop Folders - icloud

Hi All:

I turned on icloud synch and checked the Synch Documents and Desktop option. I want to turn it off but I'm nervous.

Nervous, even (especially) after the obligatory time spent in apple support/user forums, reddit, etc. (We've all traveled those paths before. I've been a pretty high-level Mac user since 1984.)

I'm not the first person (not even close) to be gobsmacked when the Document and Desktop folders on my hard drive (in /users/UserName/) simply vanished. With no warning or explanation. Grrr. I want it back the way it was, and I'll rely on my other (multiple) backup methods for backup. (How about a notice, Apple, that this feature is not for backup. In fact some buried folder on my Mac ends up being the "backup." 🙄)

I'm nervous right now because there are still multiple icloud icons showing on Desktop and Documents files/folders. It's been a couple days and it may not have finished synching?

In particular this one, the down arrow in a circle,

...which icon is not listed here, for instance:

iCloud drive icons: What do they mean? - Apple Community

What does this icon mean? It appeared after I selected the top-level icloud folders and right-click chose "Keep downloaded."

Can anyone assure me that turning off synch will restore the Document and Desktop folders on my hard drive, with no manual intervention required? 🤞

Thanks so much to everyone.