OMG! I could have written this exact post, Jaime!
I grew out my hair (unwillingly) for the first few months of COVID while everything shut down. I had the exact same experience as you - my curls on one side, which I had been happy to let do their thing when my cut was asymmetrical, somehow felt limp, tired, messy, unstructured and lifeless when on both sides - and I felt old and tired somehow. (To be clear, your cut looks great, both grown out and asymmetrical - but I know how you felt because I felt the same.) I too went down the rabbit hole of curly hair maintenance videos and then I just decided it was too much. I like the sharpness, edge, and structure that the asymmetrical cut gives me - like I styled it on purpose, not like i just ran my hands through the tired mop on my head. And somehow, even when my curls aren't perfect, they still look pretty good - when they are just on one side!
I think it also balances out the silver in my hair, because I find that when grey hair is frizzy and uncontrolled, it just makes me look older and tired. I was happy to get my sharp cut back, and started getting compliments again too. I think it's just the cut for me (until I decide I need a change again )