Like you, I'm hoping that this platform eventually becomes a reliable source of income, but that's secondary to hoping to find a good community to belong to.
That attitude and perspective will serve you and the community well on Steemit. Here's another good post that says it all.
Authenticity And Transparency - Is Who You Are On Steemit Really Who You Are And Does It Matter? - Pros And Cons Of Being Real --- by @papa-pepper