Agreed that we are too hard on ourselves. We forget how we view other people's quilts. We look the overall effect not each individual seam. It is that basic light medium and dark that is the most important "color" and the overall design that is pleasing to the eye.
Sure we try hard to do the best we can. One of the most beautiful quilts I have seen is by a friend who was an absolute beginner. The quilt was not square, the borders were not straight, but it was stunning. I didn't notice the unsquare or the crooked borders, she had to point them out. I was so taken by her fussy cut patterns in the tea cups and the beauty of the colors. I must have seen it 10 times before I saw it with her there and she pointed out it's quirks. I never saw anything but beauty. Even now my mind knows it isn't perfect, but I have to purposely look to see it. I am so taken by the quilt's beauty.