* Don't worry about getting "caught up" every time you log on. If there's someone you really want to see all of, put them on a list, but keep that list small.
* Follow new people freely to build up a diverse timeline, but also unfollow, mute, block, and hide boosts and replies as needed to keep out the things you don't want to see.
* Curate your timeline with what you actually want to see. If someone is offended that you didn't follow back, that's on them.