Thanks for sharing your experience on Steemit. If you allow me to add a few comments based on my personal experience (actually even if you don't, I will do it anyhow :p):

I continued my posting for pennies an article. I knew I wasn't making even close to minimum wage, but I was still having fun. I just needed to get that one "big hit" and I'd have thousands!

Having fun is in my opinion one of the important aspects. Especially today. And having fun goes through reading, commenting and answering articles. The future of Steemit mut be strongly connected to have fun on the platform. Fun in writing, fun in reading, etc.

Two weeks ago, things were really starting to look bad on Steemit. Everyone was discouraged about the continuous dropping price of STEEM, and I felt the community had lost track of what made it great.

Two weeks ago (or maybe three, I am not sure anymore), was also the time I was starting to question myself about being here. I am feeling highly concerned with the science category on the platform and it was the time were good science posts were rare and unnoticed, whilst inaccurate, wrong or trending-to-the -moon posts were skyrocketing. Finally, I didn't resign (otherwise I would not be answering) and things are kind of better today. Not in a great state, but better. And for a few days, together with other steemSTEM fellows, we are motivated again ;)

And good luck for your ascension to the whale status ;)