Anyone else forced to choose between paying for Gmail/google storage or switching to another?

I’ve had the same gmail account since I was like 12 or 13. I used google photos for forever. When they initially started charging for photo storage, I eventually upgraded. However, eventually that wasn’t enough so I cancelled my subscription. It’s immensely cheaper to just back up my own photos than pay to store them on google photos. Today I got an email saying my Gmail will stop working and I need to renew my membership.

So, I just created a new email elsewhere. I guess after all these years, I won’t be a gmail user anymore. Seems so unreal to me! Lol Alas, it’s only an email address. I’ll live lol. And I can start backing up my own photos. I really did like google photos since I only use a phone these days. I don’t even own a computer anymore. But again, it’s not the end of the world lol.

I’m just curious if anyone else is shifting away from Gmail after all these years? I hear if you have a Pixel phone, you get unlimited google services. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I don’t like to feel forced into anything, so I’ll just be done with them all together 😜