The part about content writing feeling boring and lame and wanting to write what personally interests you is definitely the most relatable part.

I don't feel like I've had my "big breakthrough" the way you describe it, the one that happened to you by the third month. Still hanging in there...

I get what you mean about feeling like the constant complaints about Medium brings you down. Speaking for myself here, but I'm certainly not doing it because I don't believe in myself or believe I can make it, or to spread negativity. Rather, it's the opposite. It's rather depressing to believe in yourself and not see it reflect the way you'd like on the outside. Rather, makes one feel like they're crazy for thinking it. And also because I'm hoping that by speaking about it, I can find a way to fix it (people who constantly try to crack the algorithm, for instance, I think we've all been there at some point). But it's an interesting lesson what you're saying, about sticking to your guns even when there's adversity and people disagree. I'm still trying to wrap my head around that.

Bit of a novel comment here, but well lol.