> Once you do that, it's literally just normal CSS with extra steps.

Yeah, I agree. That's not the way to go. Components is the way to go.

Regarding using tailwind in general, I had a few issues in the beginning, too, until I figured out how it's supposed to be used.

It is a bit tough to use it with frameworks that don't allow you to create components in a more modular way. But if you get to create these components, it's really a joy. It reminds me a bit of the BEM methodology (just a bit).

Again... it's also a matter of what each person is vibing with.