What is obsession with gearing up so many jobs with max iLevel gear when it is all obsolete in about 7-8 months anyway? What benefit would it serve even if you had it?

I've been there - I raided in ARR, HW, SB and ShB. I kept finding myself taking a break since "what's the point of playing the game if there's no gear to be earned?" Then I got off that treadmill and actually enjoyed the game.