i always tell people i am 'way to un-disciplined' to follow someone's pattern---too A.D.D. too O.C.D. too what ever other initials you want to add- i pretty much make 'em up as i go along-
although sometimes i do incorporate actual blocks and follow the *rule* of the block- as often i don't=== and no- i do not feel guilty for it-
my mom's a portrait artist---raised 5 kids with her paintings---she has never felt guilty for the shelves of art books/magazines in her library- guess i was raised that way- it's normal to collect (inspiration) ... how else will you ever learn new techniques? or see the direction things are going? or see how they used to do it?
there is no reason for guilt - it's growth.