Hi @bitcalm - I finally made it over here to see what you had to say. I am so on board with everything you've listed, from putting in hours of time to write quality material, to engaging, commenting, upvoting... There's a small voice in my head that asks, "What more can I do?" The reality is NOTHING There is nothing more I can do - not because I'm satisfied with the status quo but because I don't have the traction inside or outside Steemit. If I worried about making a dime here, I think my writing would cease to be fun, you know? It's my escape. And if it ever stops being fun then I'd have to quit it in a heartbeat. I have enough stress in my life to add cognitive dissonance to the mix. LOL I can't do it. I won't.
My joy also comes in finding gems like you posting quality material without exposing your genitals. Thank you for that!
Nicely said @merej99