I have the 'three try' rule. If I try to improve on an intersection or point, the third try is the way it stays. I find keeping to this rule helps me hold on to my sanity.
I like my seams to lie flat at intersections and prefer to swirl them. I have been known to rework a pattern just so the seams can be swirled and not cause lumps. At the moment I am working on a project that is time sensitive and am following 'their' directions for pressing. I am finding that I am not enjoying the process because I know I could have done better. Lesson learned.
If, for whatever reason, a seam is narrower than it should be, I make a point of double stitching so that it will have less chance of pulling apart.