I used to compete as well and found it hindered me creatively. All of that worrying about stuff that didn't really matter kept me from doing what I really wanted to do, which is have fun!
I think every serious quilter should enter competitions because it is a fabulous learning experience. You learn a lot about yourself, your abilities and talents, and your limitations. After a while I think a lot of us just got tired of trying to make everybody else happy and settled for pleasing ourselves.