Melinda it is wonderful to read your experience and I loved the honesty.
I have been writing since 2021. After I turned 60 every year I am commiting to start something new so that I am in the learning mode. I read other member's stories, loved them and just started writing. I was able to get 100 followers and qualify for the partner program. The highest amount per articles was over $8. Per month is around $22.
To me it is the community of readers, writers and publishers who make it worthwhile to spend my time in this platform.