It’s also so fake, people performing the idea they’re successful at the hobby as a sort of feedback loop of validation. Posts about buying a thing or showing their stuff always gets more interest than someone engaging in the hobby, with the exception of influencer types or the upper echelon of aspiration.

Joining other communities… music and car related to be specific, I post a work in progress and get instant feedback and messages from people in the relevant scene to share their process etc. The influencers are in the mix with everyone else and are contributing things everyone can use.