I recently completed my 3rd anniversary on the blockchain. I remember earning only few cents at most. It was @generation.easy who first started showing continuous support on my articles. Sad to say that he has not made a post on HIVE or STEEM in some time. I guess he is hibernating. Now I can give few cents every time I vote and I have a decent reputation and I can earn a $1 on most of my posts.
I use HIVE/STEEM as a hobby at the moment. I'm confident enough in my investments that I will reach a million dollar net worth when or before I have gone into my 30s.
At this rate I post whatever I feel like and vote on whatever I feel like. I do have a decent following. I don't explicitly plan on growing it. I just try to make sure whatever I post has value to them.
I keep my expenses minimum and I literally live with my parents. All of my savings are in a tiny cryptocurrency portfolio. What matters is that I'm happy with it. What matters is that I'm not going to burn out of it.
If you are reading this and want to grow big on HIVE, this is what I have to say to you:
Best of Luck! - Do What Matters (To You)!