@lifeinspired
I can relate to this frustration, there is this definite feeling of "carrot dangling" around this place, (obvious trickery and corruption going down here and there), but I still think Steemit is awesome and much better then "normal socialmedia" (I hate normal socialmedia).
But yeah I no longer think that Steemit will be my "day job" anytime soon, it is a fun hobby and if I am lucky in the future I might actually get some decent rewards for quality posts.
But I personally don't think beginners should have any expectations at all, it is not healthy to think that you can compete with the trending posts, that is a delusion or a deception maybe, ha ha.
Steemit is like a micro-ecosystem that reflects the real world in many ways...
Like if you ( @lifeinspired ) lived pre-internet and you where a content creator and you wanted to publish a book, you would probably have to take writing classes that would cost money, you would have to publish little pamphlets or fanzines to build a "following" and finally kiss the asses of publishers (whales) to get your content published, etc etc...
Even though Steemit has a "utopian-ethos", what you are complaining about is just the ways the worlds being reflected here on Steemit, (this doesn't mean there is no room for improvement hint hint).
Meanwhile you "quit" I suggest you try and check out some other platforms that pay the content creator, I never tried them but if you do please let me know if they are any good:
@friendly-fenix, you just got upvoted my friend. Thank you for your post! :)
Thanks best of luck out there @lifeinspired, kind of sad that you are leaving, this place needs solidarity and healthy critical thinkers. But I also understand that you got tired of it.
Nah-I’ma-Stay (NAMASTE) 🙏 - Decided to stay thanks to all the awesome comments and advice. Together maybe we can bring some positive change to Steemit.