but if you just want to stay at your rating range that is okay you dont need to get stronger when you just want to have fun.
This is exactly why I stay at my elo range and lower. I like playing chess for the sake of just playing it. There's zero fun for me when playing against anyone of higher rating.
playing against someone the same rating as you is okay but playing against stronger
will make you learn from your mistake
if you play stronger player you must apply of what you study
the benefit of playing stronger player is even if you lose you dont lose points, your ego is not as intense as when you play the same rating as you thus more focus, the win is 10x satisfying than playing the same rating as you so much so that the boost of dopamine will make you stop playing for a day
but if you just want to stay at your rating range that is okay you dont need to get stronger when you just want to have fun.