Okay before I get dog piled, I've really enjoyed Dragonflight. I love that everything I do progresses my character. I don't feel like my characters are left behind and I don't feel like wow token whales are leagues ahead of me.
The problem is more psychological I think. Retail has constantly pushed me to play as a solo player before dragonflight. Everything however was way more positive so I grabbed a group of friends and for about five months we steadily did things together. Well soon it was just me out of the eight or so playing. So I decided I wanted to try group play and I have to say PUGs for anything are just pure toxicity.
I joined a large guild, but they feel no different than going through LFG/LFR. I run mythics but I've had people brick keys at the first sign of difficulty or new tanks/healers queuing for higher keys without knowing the boss mechanics then leaving at a boss wipe.
It's pretty bad that I log on excited but that's only because I enjoy dragon riding. I do a couple of laps to explore or look atound, then disconnect because the thought of playing with people is a bummer.
I know people aren't looking to be assholes. I also know that their fun is dependent on everyone being decent at the content and that can sometimes make decent people act poorly if someone isn't.
At this point I just wish WoW was a solo game, at least retail. It pushed me for so many expansions to play solo just give me AI companions with similar gear to my own and let me play in a sandbox all to myself.
I agree about PUGs and would definitely recommend being in a guild, but don’t let experience with just one guild put you off - there are hundreds out there of all sizes and you will be able to find one which suits you. There are also some great communities built around players in your situation with literally thousands of members. There’s a discord somewhere where they organise runs, I’ll try and track them down and post here.
Though I’m in a great guild now I played for a long time solo after my guild went awol during Mists. I just relaxed and did my own thing - I’d say don’t feel under pressure to do anything in particular, there’s so much to do in the game.
Sorry this is on r*ddit but it’s such a useful list I couldn’t not post it: https://www.reddit.com/r/wow/wiki/discord/