Okay, I'm so jumping in on this. Pull up a chair - let's chat!

1. F4F - I think many of us think it's "people who want us to follow them back" and while that's the case, why can't it also be people who just want to follow you because they saw your awesome story and want more? My advice: just take the followers and keep going! I think many who start do that and it does help them get some new eyeballs.

2. Deleting claps: recently they were talked about, but they have always existed. I happened to notice that shortly when I became a member, I just noticed no one talked about it. I think the deletion of claps is a system correction and/or removal of an account or someone took off the claps - but I bet that is very unusual. (and yes, I've noticed it happen to me)

3. I'm half the time in a pub and other half not. At first it took a minute to understand who posts within 12 hours (for me that is a biggie because I already spend days working on it)...I have given two major pubs a week and it didn't work for me. I think you should find 2-3 and stick with them to get to know the "regulars" and once the editors know your stuff well, you will get published more quickly. For your style, I highly recommend:

Jason Provencio's, Bouncin' and Behavin Blogs - he's extremely efficient, he welcomes the curse words and those of us that read it - expect it and have no issue with it (I know some don't enjoy).

Let me make a note: I don't think publications necessarily guarantee you views or success. Two things I think help us in Medium the most:

subscribers (how loyal are they) and a strong title

4. engagement

I'm going to try to make my long answer short. It may feel like you're struggling - but it's just that when you left you left at a peak because you had put in so much work for that momentum - I promise, you haven't changed and nor has this place. It's just going to take a hot minute. I think if you give it: 3 months, you'll "feel" the momentum.

You have to balance that with the time you are going to be willing to put in - without getting sucked back into imbalance...

Writers, I'd recommend that I think you'd like, who are super loyal and kind and engage -- I'm emailing you...LOL)

Much love! Glad you are here!!!