Topic per title, basically.
For me: after setting up all the integrations and fall overs using the arr stack and Jellyfin (inc Sabnzdb etc)… I keep circling back to Nova video player.
https://github.com/nova-video-player/aos-AVP/releases
It’s arguably not even self hosting…but there something undeniably cool about sticking a USB stick into a router, installing a single app on your TV and boom, done. EDIT: of course, it can consume the *arr stack, integrate with Ombi etc
IOW, I really like stuff that simple to set up and punches above its weight class.
PiHole on old laptops started the journey for me
Now I’ve got all sorts of things, most visible are Plex and Audiobookshelf. The most useful to me personally is Headscale for what at I assume are obvious reasons.
I’d like to use Matrix more but that requires some buy-in from friends.
I ostensibly use this as a means of continued education for myself, but really it’s because I enjoy using/learning about open-source software and creating my own ecosystem outside of “big tech”
I’ve got it all set up in a way that really works for me, which is all that really matters in the end.