It has become a popularity contest for more followers/likes, I dont even scrolled down my feed that often anymore, and I dont click the explore tab to save myself from heartaches

no. social media has always been about attention seeking. even those photographers that seem to be on social media for the sole purpose of sharing beautiful pictures for inspirations are just as hungry for attention as kim kardashian and clan. once they started getting massive amount of likes, there goes the ego.

Well I run a shoutout page on Instagram. It's sort of like a business in that sense. I have my personal account too but honestly, as long as you enjoy yourself, go for it.