I've hunted deer for over 40 years and have "trophy" hunted for the last 18. I have probably experienced most of the things that you have written.
But this year, I was feeling pressure, mostly internal but also some external pressure, to put a buck on the ground.
You must take external pressure out of the equation. It really is no one elses bussiness what you take or do not take as a hunter. I believe that hunting should be done for your own personal enjoyment. Not trying to live up to someone elses expectations.
Pressure, applied from within, can be a good thing as long as it remains realistic. It can drive you to learn and to fine tune your methods which will cause you to grow as a hunter. Too much self pressure will have the opposite effect and actually harm your hunting progress.
when the 90" 8 point walked by me (see Team 2thread), I made a perfect shot and a quick recovery. There was joy, but, upon putting my hands on him, there was as much regret. I didn't get the "high", the lasting effect of killing a truly big buck, even though I shot the biggest one I'd seen during this season.
I had this happen to me.......once. I became ashamed of myself for being regretful that the deer wasn't bigger. I vowed that that would never happen again. The deer that I had just killed deserved better than that. From then on, no matter what deer I have killed, I am truely happy about it. I haven't had a problem since. Use it as a learning experience.
But you know what? As hunters we are not judged on encounters. We are judged by animals on the ground, and our walls.
I think that this is where the problem is. In the grand scheme of things, I don't give a rip what other people think of me as a hunter. I do it for my personal enjoyment and not what other peoples expectations are. I am not a professional hunter nor do I make any money from it. I do not want to turn it into a job because that's when the "external" expectations come into play and this will take all the fun out of it for me. Unless you are trying to break into the "bussiness" and trying to make a name for yourself, there is no reason for anyone to judge you. Who are you hunting for?
To be a Trophy Hunter is a commitment, many won't understand or desire
Now that's Gospel!
I'm not trying to bust your chops, just showing you my perspective.
Good luck!