Replies is actually the first i visit when I open steemit. I love it when people pass by my posts and take time to read and comment on them, hence a reply should not be something difficult.
As for you, please dont be hard on yourself as you are receiving way more comments now than before. 😉
Especially considering that our follower base is the one deciding whether we succeed or not (whatever that may be), so its actually logical that we reply and engage, and yet ive seen so many people neglecting their followers :(