I've been in the same boat funkytown.
Living 6 hours away from the nearest tournament threatening player is tough. Then travelling that much to regional tournaments is lame since it's so much travel for so little play.
Just keep changing how you're playing and help those around you get better. This is the best thing you can do as the 'best on the block' type of thing.
I've taken multiple 6 month breaks in the 3 years I've been playing. Playing less has probably been beneficial though. Not getting systems or routines or habbits. You can use the time away from the tournament scene to fine tune your game in terms of how to grow in other areas rather then how to make your foundation.
I reached a milestone last spring and didn't play through the summer. Started actually 'maining' characters and played a bunch through Nov/Dec against a huge range of players from around the world and 3 of the best in the region for a good amount of time.
Now, I've reached a point where I literally don't have to go to tournaments or play people of that calibur to sustain where I am or improve. I've seen what it's like and played at that level, I know what it takes and what it means. Now, by working with the locals, they get better and in turn improve each other. Similar to the other baby region within my region, I'm now one of those players that those improving can learn from as I reached that level. It came from a long break of broadening out and a burst of play time.
Don't focus on playing lots, be aware of playing properly, that's how you'll get your kickstart. You don't have to actually 'play' to 'improve'. You can get there through discussion, helping locals, anything. Be communicative, we're all one giant community. Your locals are you community, communicate and help each other. Then when you DO get that burst, you'll know how to actually use it to the fullest, and burst ahead.
Trust me on this, it's all I've ever done with smash to get to where I am and I've brought some of the best players in the world (truth) out of slumps through talking to them about the way they're trying to improve.
- You don't have to play LOTS or practice OVER and OVER. All you have to do is play DIFFERENTLY every single time.
Become something your locals can work from. Everyone around me is excelling dramatically by the way we've oppened up and it has made me excell to the plateau of those I used to work from, and still do and always will. If you're not the best in the world, that doesn't mean you have to play the best to get there. Just change what you're doing, and if that's not the best, keep changing until you're there. You'll know when you reach the stepping stones along the way. Don't stop changing, as changing is the
ONLY way to become different towards what is better... AKA to IMPROVE. Fact of life regarding anything.
YOU GOT THIS!!!
YOU GOT THIS!!!!