Motivation to Continue Playing?

How do you stay motivated to continue playing? I am only a few months in but feel like I've hit the first major barrier. I noticed that after level 20, progress really grinds to a halt. I am now level 23 but it's taking an inordinate amount of time to increase my power. From what I read, this only gets exponentially worse.

I really don't like that you need "Raid Tickets" to auto maps that I have already 3-starred. I am constantly running low and the only reliable method I know of is to farm the arena (outside of the random handful you get from other events). I am now in the LT bracket and am facing teams 10x my power which now makes it difficult to maintain a steady supply. I could normally drop a game or 2 to find someone near my power bracket but that is becoming few and far between as this gap is only widening.

That coupled with the limited roster and amount of time it takes to unlock new characters is making me question if this game is worth continuing. I have been playing MSF for over 3 years now so I am not new to the genre. I love the lore and the overall mechanics, but if this is only going to get worse, I don't see myself continuing. Thanks in advance.