I got my first guitar in about 95 and have been totally self taught. I stagnated massively for around 15 years in the middle when I infrequently played then got frustrated all I could do was some Nirvana power chords.
Started playing again around 5 years ago and had my guitar professionally setup - what a world of difference that made! I’ve made decent progress since but it’s still all just the odd riff or solo here and there and there’s a lot I can do a lot better. Using YouTube videos is only getting me so far and some 1 on 1 I hope will do the trick.
My wife started taking piano lessons and it inspired me to do the same for guitar. I’m sure it will be helpful even if they’re going to rip my technique up and start again.
Have you had lessons or are you self taught? What helped the most for your playing?
Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. If you practice like crap, you’ll continue to play like crap.
The best technique I’ve learned is to just slow down. Reduce the tempo until you can play it perfectly, then play it perfectly, over and over. Gradually you can increase the tempo, so long as you maintain that perfect composure, then before long you’ll be playing at normal tempo just right.
However, like you say, getting an outside perspective is always important, even if only from time to time.