I've only been here a couple of months so I can't speak to longer term coming and going but I have definitely noticed a big drop in the number of posts most people I follow are posting. When I joined in December there were many, many more.
I am still posting every day and, when I feel inspired up to 4 times a day.
I could happily keep that up if my posts were actually being seen and I felt I was receiving a decent return (compared to what I see spammers and meme posters, e.g. getting) but I'm finding it harder and harder not to get totally disillusioned.
Sorry for the moan. That wasn't what you asked. But your post triggered my question to myself of how long I can keep going here.
As you've said before patience is the key. It's just so very hard when you spend all day commenting, replying and writing 4 posts that almost no-one sees.
Hopefully this is just a bad patch I'm going through and soon I'll be able to see a different perspective. 😊