@mmeier
Lots of good stuff here.
Yes, writing a complete beginner's guide is hard. It takes dedication and inspiration. Don't beat yourself over it. Some people can do it, some can't. If "intermediate" is your niche, go for it.
As to self-hosting: I completely agree it's not for everyone, and also it's not possible to do everything. On top of "one person can't know it all", there are financial and social costs for that. Sometimes it's better to just pay someone to do some of the stuff you need, just be mindful of how you select who you're paying to (and why).