Nice use of "malarkey" ;)
However, selling off bits and pieces to pay for groceries, would just be a waste and the cost would be the potential for that life-changing result. I don't see Hive as a way to slightly improve my life each week, it is more a gamble, a lottery ticket for changing it forever.
I am the same as you. In my 7-8 years here, I haven't powered down once, but just keep powering up little by little every week, or the past few months every day. I see my holdings here as a long-term play. And luckily I have the luxury of not relying on my Hive earnings to survive, so I can keep the dreams about Hive funding my retirement going.
Anyway, I think what I try to optimize on Hive most of all is my time. I am able to get my post a day out, which is a goal, but I don't always succeed in my goal of 5-10 comments on other posts every day.
It should be used more often.
It might not happen - but it is also nice to have a chance of it happening. Too many people are dreamless these days and just trying to survive.