You seem to have “picked MO” largely based on externals- so you can do certain things, not be judged, and, hopefully I won’t seem too harsh, seeming “better” in comparison with the people you associate with (rosh lashualim rather than zanav haarayos).
Have you ever been part of the MO educational system?
Just saying, I would recommend books by the above authors if you’d like to know about the hashkafa behind MO, which is held by many people who wear yarmulkes (no matter what the color), cover their hair, dress the same way you dressed when you were yeshivish, don’t do coed mixing, etc, as well as the people with whom you associate. MO isn’t “real Judaism lite.” I’m not sure how many times I can say this without being redundant (and probably rude, for which I really do apologize).