@TheNameofNames It is interesting that you mention Silman, I have heard a lot of good things about his books - and I have actually watched some vids by him he is a very good teacher. I have a great deal of fondness for people like him who seem to be really dedicated to giving a lot back to the game.
I think I was unbeatable for about 18 months! But I agree with what you say, chess is such a great game, and enjoying it is a huge part - and enjoyment is not just winning!
Your last point is key too - I just felt like the right moves should come to me naturally, so I though in 3 minute blitz I would just win every game - just like the GMs and IMs you see on YT or twitch. But playing longer format, and actually applying what I learn,p I find my results are better and maybe in a few years I will go back to blitz....or at least in the mean time be realistic about my expectations in quick time controls.
I used to play chess a long time ago, and with the last few years I have been trying to get back to it - let me try and lay out a few mistakes and a few things I have learned. I am not an instructor, but I hope I can give some ideas.
Most important: Fun. When I was about 15, suddenly out of nowhere I could beat just about anyone at chess, I had never studied, and even when I was at uni I could beat club players. 2 DECADES later when I cam back to the game, I expected it to be the same, and it was not and I was not - so I got frustrated and angry, I thought any player I could not beat was cheating and any chess puzzle I could not solve instantly was incorrect. Consequently for most of the last few years I did not improve. After watching a few vids by a chess youtuber, he changed my attitude, and now I enjoy the game more, I find that I am actually improving. I don't think you can improve at any skill when you are fighting against it.
Structure: I play guitar, and for although I have been in bands for a long time my guitar playing stayed at the same standard for a LONG time. That changed when I created a practice routine - scales, technical exercises, creative exercises, jamming, songs. Chess is similar, there are many aspects to work on - I created a routine, tactical puzzles, openings, end games, evaluation, master games. It has helped me - I would advise people to do the same.
Find a book to follow through, maybe read at bedtime!? Currently I have a book called Mayhem in the Morra by Marc Esserman, to be honest it might be a bit above my level, but the guy is hugely enthusiastic and expresses his ideas really well. So I might not be playing the Morra Gambit, but in the book he talks about the how simple moves effect the game - moving the pawn here opens this line, or this pawn move creates a weakness; and thinking about how each move's long term effects is very informative.