Writing is a gift but you have to put in so much effort and time to put the right and meaningful words together.
I have special regard for writers and if that intellectual property cannot be rewarded in tokens, I guess every heart that reads the writeup should bless the writer.
But its unfortunate that not many people read these days

And I must agree with you on this

'Don't put your worth on other people's upvotes'

Well you can just put them together in a book, publish and sell as well.
Just don't let that inspiration that could bless a fellow human die within you.