For me it's been like a splash of cold water to the face, remembering just how fucked up 
tier liberal takes were, are, and will likely continue to be.
I'm sure there's downsides to complacency, but it was nice having some ground assumptions when going into a thread, like "society can and should be improved somewhat" or "the ruling class acts in its own immediate self interests and any other claims regarding their motivations are propagandized lies" or "climate change is real, it's bad, and it's getting worse," or more trivial stuff like "Tesla cars aren't good."
I'm sure potential comrades are out there and while it really is necessary to reach out to more people at some point (offline too, orgs especially, but while we're here, you know?), it's been sobering to realize just how far rightward mainstream "progressive" liberal thought really is on average. 
It's been about what I expected, which is a lot of hard work (insofar as posting can be considered work) for minimal results. It's an important step, but there's a lot of room to refine our messaging strategy now that we've extended our reach. I predict a lot more drama to come.
I do miss seeing y'all in every thread, but absence makes the heart grow fonder and I've come to really appreciate my fellow hexbears. The wave of liberalism has made our own differences and infighting seem petty by comparison. I've enjoyed the renewed spirit of comradery around here.
I've felt this too.
I've even been standing alongside people I've had some struggle sessions with before.