I've been doing this long enough that its is easier,
  clearer, and faster for me to understand

However, are you also the only one reading the code? If not: is it also easier, clearer and faster to understand for the other ones? On the one hand, they may learn fast when reading code that uses these constructions. On the other hand: perhaps it only sinks in over time and they won't learn fast enough to properly maintain such code.