Shelton,
I picked up a long bow 5 years ago. Shot and shot, was prepared for my first fall without wheels 3 years ago. That summer I suffered a shoulder injury which stopped all my shooting period.
By that fall, I was in the woods (but with a crossbow). It took me 14 months to get back to where I could start shooting again. I sold my crossbow and started hunting with my longbow last year.
Then one day I went out to shoot a few arrows before the next day's hunt. For whatever reason, my performance was so dismal that it rattled my confidence to the core. Unfortunately, the next morning instead of being in my stand, I was outside checking the sights on my wheel bow.
The ability to fall back on my compound when I had a bad day shooting pulled me out of the need to go back and work on the issues I had.
Right now, I'm shooting better than I ever have (even before my shoulder injury). I really need to do what you did. I admire your dedication to the sport. Hope that, I too, can let go my "safety net."
Ken