I have spent hours on posts before and they never earned much money at all. Why, you ask? Chances are that my article just wasn't seen by the right people and became covered up by all of the other posts that were constantly being published. That's going to happen so just roll with the punches and keep moving forward. It's a great feeling when a whale or two votes on your work because it was a quality post and not just because you're popular or in a certain clique.
Amen, brotha, I know that feeling. So I feel you.
Nice job on making it one year. Keep moving forward you're doing great :)
Unfortunately, that's just how it is sometimes. But what you said is key..."keep moving forward"!