Minecraft SMP friend (player) retention?

[Corrupt]

I've played Minecraft since its first public release. I love the game but it definitely gets boring sometimes, so I usually don't spend more than a month on a server. It not only gets boring for me but also my friends, and without friends on a server it usually dies. I'm looking to solve this issue and hopefully increase the amount/length of time spent by me and my friends.

I've seen a lot of the let's play series on Youtube (Hermitcraft et al), but I don't have much modding experience to continuously add features. I've thought about doing skyblock only because I spent a bit of time on that in the past, but my friends haven't. Maybe I'm looking for SMP-style game modes? Any recommendations?

 

[SamsungRemotePC]

Are you looking to create a public server or private one?

 

[Corrupt]

Are you looking to create a public server or private one?

Private, around 6 people.

 

[SamsungRemotePC]

Private, around 6 people.

I'd recommend doing a Modded SMP with lore. Great fun with friends and if you make content, it's a huge plus for you too

 

[Corrupt]

I'd recommend doing a Modded SMP with lore. Great fun with friends and if you make content, it's a huge plus for you too

Agreed, it's just been a while since I've played on a modpack. You wouldn't happen to know any beginner-ish, lightweight packs? I installed Better MC 1.19.2 on my 8 gb/3 vCPU cloud instance and it runs horribly.

 

[SamsungRemotePC]

Agreed, it's just been a while since I've played on a modpack. You wouldn't happen to know any beginner-ish, lightweight packs? I installed Better MC 1.19.2 on my 8 gb/3 vCPU cloud instance and it runs horribly.

Unfortunately I don't have any in mind. I would recommend searching up on places like technic mod packs.