Nostr doesn’t use algos or anything to encourage engagement.  
I started posting a month ago and I spend 99% of my time replying to other people’s posts to encourage them to follow me.  
-Without followers, you’re literally using nostr like a journal.  
-Make friends with some bigger accts. 
-Ask and encourage people to repost your notes.
-Zap replies to encouraging people to engage your notes.
-Focus on active users. 99% of the users here disappear for the same reasons you outlined.  
Its a different place here but the quality of the users here is top notch.

Use tools to connect with other new users. Etc etc etc
Be creative. 
https://nostr.band/trending/profiles/2024-10-29

🍻🧡👊🏻