I like the dysfunctional family analogy. It really is like that sometimes. There are a lot of things that I don't agree with or am not happy about here too, but being on Steemit has helped me realise my true potential and has increased my sense of self-worth. I have had to redefine what my self-worth is, what the worth of my content is, no matter what attention it got. I've had to stop reflexively evaluating my worth based on the popularity or rewards I might receive. Instead, I started to look at each individual, the relationships I formed with them. The worth one comment had for them, what one person got from something I shared, and also, what I got from what others shared and commented. It's not easy, but the community here, despite it being very socialist at times, more than I would like, is very different than your typical social media platforms. I have also started to adopt the mindset I got from Steem onto the other platform I use, like Twitter, and connecting with people outside of Steem there too. I still don't use fb much except for specific niche groups and even there I must be careful because the minute someone doesn't like what you say or is jealous of work you've done, you're flagged for something or other and that mentality angers me. I only sometimes share there.

While Steem might be a dysfuntional family as you call it, it's a lot more respectful and encouraging than any other social media platform, according to me. While there are individuals on those other platforms I appreciate, it's mroe difficult to feel free there.