I've never really seen the point in competitions, but got a bit of enthusiasm & recently had some success - quite a few in the Times travel section & a paid for picture story:
I've put in a few for big National competitions & was amazed to be short-listed for the British Photography Awards. Go & have a look at some of the really AMAZING photos https://www.britishphotographyawards.org/2019-Shortlist. Even more shocked to be on the final list off the shortlist & invited to tThe London Savoy hotel for the awards ceremony end of January 2019. I think I am in the last four. with this one from Svalbard: