I have found, two or three times over the years, that when I take a 'sabbatical', usually more than 6-12 months, away from quilting/sewing (for whatever reason), when I return to the art I am even more skilled than I was when I left it. I have no reason why this is so....it's like the details and skills have time to soak in and develop while I was otherwise occupied! Weird.
Maybe as you continue without your SR you'll begin to notice the same thing.
Jan in VA