If you don’t cringe at your past work, you’re doing it wrong.
Of course you can see ways to do it better. That’s how it works. At least, that’s how it works if you continue to grow.
I guarantee that every novelist finds things to change if they reread old novels. Composers have routinely polished old scores repeatedly – Sondheim famously tinkered with several of his musicals well after their premieres. A quote I often think about from Paul Gardner says, “A painting is never finished – it simply stops in interesting places.”
When I write band parts for Cabaret shows now, I often have the chance to look at old Cabaret parts I’ve written. Invariably I think, “I wouldn’t do it that way.” All the time.
But I learned to be a better writer through doing that work, so I don’t regret it at all.
Indeed, I’m still proud of the work I’ve done – even the work I cringe at.
Be proud of your work, cringe at the same work, then get to work making new and better things.