my rating and gameplay is dropping down even though I'm practicing pretty regularly


Puzzles. Doing drills and puzzles daily makes you better. You can watch any video on YouTube how to blunder less, or how to make a plan

Use the 20/40/40 rule which means a player below 2000 ELO should spend 20% on opening 40% on middle game 40% on endgame

1: Study the basics: Make sure you have a solid understanding of the rules and basic strategies of the game. This will serve as the foundation for your improvement.
2: Analyze your games: After each game, take some time to analyze what went wrong and what you could have done differently. Try to identify any patterns or mistakes that you made.
3: Learn from grandmasters: Study the games of the top players in the world, and try to understand their thought process and strategies.
4: Practice regularly: The more you play Chess, the more you'll learn about the game. Try to play against players of different skill levels to challenge yourself.
5: Have patience: Improving at chess takes time and patience. Don't get discouraged if you don't see progress right away.
6: Join a chess club or take chess lessons: Having a coach or being part of a chess community can help you improve faster and have access to more resources.
Remember that chess is a complex game, and there's always room for improvement. Keep working on your game, and don't be afraid to ask for help or advice from more experienced players.

Improving Your Chess - Resources for Beginners and Beyond...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/improving-your-chess-resources-for-beginners-and-beyond
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell

You should learn most important principles of a chess game. That will give you a solid understanding of a chess game and you will know what to do in every position. Then, you should optimize your calculation so you don't miss tactics in your games. Your rating will skyrocket. I can help you with all of this. Message me if you are interested.