I think I've tried all the things you mentioned once or twice. I've never been one to suck up to people who I dislike here on Hive, whether or not they're whales, but it happened once or twice that I wrote a post hoping that someone in particular might like it, or tried to be something that I was not to fit into what few people wanted or expected, and I felt miserable for it.
What keeps me on Hive, in all honesty, is the freedom and the money. The freedom to write and the freedom income from here affords me. I have grown so much here, and like you, I also started when I was barely an adult. I wish I can say it's the people. And while I've connected with amazing people here, I know that if I didn't have this freedom I get from being here, even they won't stop me from leaving. Reading you was a pleasure as always, Honeydue.