I think the widely spread idea of "come and post and you'll earn money" was a bad publicity in the long term. I've seem many comments about creating a philosophy since the beginning to somehow protect the Steem token by staking it. While it was a strike of fortune for many early users it become a burden for the steem economy itself. Another factor and you know more of that is the relation that all the alt-coins have to bitcoin and the overall crypto market itself.

I believe the human factor in this platform that can't be easily expressed by numbers is the value that makes Steem resist until now all the storms over these two years of declining in the price. There are many good feelings in a lot of people "in here" that will maybe make this boat sail for a very long time. As you, I think in the long term and keep calm continuing also with diverse projects for growing in life. Giving Steem only enjoyable and quality time!! I'm looking forward to see those five years of the platform and the state of the Steem!! It could be good times!! :)

And speaking of projects I find another impulse to authors by this new @original.content initiative. I think they are related also with OCD. It's worth to check and see how they work!!

Hope the best for you in this great journey @Roleerob, for a better future for everyone!! :)