I started in May 2017 (15th for those of you who are like me and remember these stuff lol) and I kinda stopped in around July or August somewhere. Occasionally I would do a solve or two, but like it wasn't all that anymore. Probably had the assumption that comps weren't a thing in South Africa (which they aren't really, getting better now). I knew full PLL and like 90% oll. I had up till 5x5, excluding 2x2. Megaminx and 2 non-wca. When I heard of a comp with 2x2, 3x3, OH and pyra, I decided to go, I started practicing like heck, only 3x3. At the comp they convinced me to get a 2x2 and compete (did pretty okay, think I got a 8 single or something) and 3x3 broke my pb single with a 18.77. After that I have probably solved a cube every single day. Had a comp in April 2018 where Mats Valk attended here in RSA. Went to a comp with every event excluding 5bld, which was an AWESOME experience, in May 2018. In total today I have been to 6 competitions, broke NR for 4bld (10:45) (i avg 6 tho) and I am a BLD enthusiast.
Mainly I think the reason I stopped was because it got boring and I saw no progression, no point in trying harder when it felt like I was doing it for nothing. Even now, with the ability to get Multi-BLD AfR, but not having comps with that event in, it is kind of hard to stay motivated to keep practicing whilst I'm 2nd last in Africa with a 5/9 mbld. I definitely think if official comps weren't a thing, I would probably not put so much time into multi-bld and learning 3-style, and overall cubing so much. I have made great friends, both in South Africa and 2 from overseas. That's my little story, probably strayed off-topic here (lol, sorry), but hope it was atleast minorly interesting. Have a great day!!