I have realized that the reason I post here might be due to wanting to get an ego boost
And what is wrong with an ego boost? Humans naturally look to other humans for approval, and it feels good to be liked and respected. That is natural and normal, and I’m not aware of anything wrong with it.
The mussar seforim discuss using this midda in good ways, and discuss suppressing it when it is harmful. I don’t see how this is a harmful way.