3 1/2 weeks, I don't think is a long time to be working on Chopin's Ballade in gm. 3 1/2 months wouldn't be a long time either. You are just scratching the surface of how long it will take. Sounds like you are doing great with it already!
I would suggest, never worry about how long a piece takes you to play great, "to each their own," what's hard to me is easy to you, etc.
You're well ready for the etudes, actually a lot of people tackle some etudes before a Ballade.