Hello @graceleon
It is true that one can't possibly say the situation of the platform steemit before the introduction of the Steemit Engagement Challenge in The year 2022, April to be precuse as you mentioned...
From my mentor, I was told that, back then, steemians only find pleasure to participate in contest within community(s) and create personal contest of food and the popular diary game....
Dear friend you have clearly highlighted the changes the engagement challenges brought to the platform since the introduction of it in your publication today....
The team has been on the run to support users who participate in the challenge and also give awards massive upvotes to the winners....

Not receiving much support on one's post shouldn't be a discouragement to anyone on this platform and I'm glad it hasn't been discouragement to you..

Wow! How do you manage to participate in the total of 6 challenge every week? That's Massive...

Thanks for sharing and good luck with the challenge..