Here's Dory to inspire you!
Drawing and story-telling were my "special interests" growing up, until I stopped for a decade. I found out that when I'm not doing art, I am not happy. I am literally drawing something every day, whether it's something for my story, an extra, or just funny BS to lighten my mood.
Sure, many of us may not create anything profound, or get the attention we deserve, but if you keep on putting in the work, you'll start to appreciate your own growth and journey, despite getting readers and numbers. And others will notice too.
(Yep, I wrote that for me too, so I'll look back on Dory whenever I feel down.)