Am I playing the game wrong?

[Ath192]

Welcome, it has always been like this! I don't know how you perceived the game in any way other than casual and friendly!
There is challenge for those who want challenge, there is social content for those who want to be social, there is grind for those who want grind.
There is something for everyone, save for that one type of person that wants to be challenged around every corner. I'm afraid FFXIV is not that, and never will- nor should be.

The game population slows down, or "becomes a dead wasteland", because players are encouraged to enjoy other things.
Some play other games, some look beyond the veil of patch:current.x to enjoy the older but still valid content, and some spend their time moping on the FFXIV General forum.

Nobody perceives this game as anything other than casual and friendly. I’m replying to the OP, which seems like a new player turned off by it, so he will likely quit soon. Just reaffirming his observations. Some people can stomach the fact the game is so easy, others can’t.