I felt like I am being left out, it's been a few months since I am on the forum and my progress has slowed down drastically, I feel like I lack a little bit of something.
When you say that your progress slowed, by that you mean the amount of merit you earn has slowed down? If yes, then that's maybe your problem, that you are thinking about merit too much, and ways to earn them instead focusing on learning, and for that there is no better place than bitcointalk forum. So in order to be helpful to others, first you have to help yourself.
Just don't push it and merits will come, as i saw so many members ranking up and no reason for you not to rank up as well, given the time.