Matrix isn't really a social media platform that you go on to discover things. It's akin to something like discord in the sense you get invited into servers(channels).

You like sewing? Google your way to a Matrix sewing channel. You like CS:GO? Google your way to a CS:GO channel.

Given the state of things, you'll probably find more gaming/tech than you will sewing because Matrix is pretty niche compared to alternatives but nonetheless - you need to seek out entry points into otherwise private areas of the Matrix network.

What instance are you on?

Unless it's down, stuff should work.

I run my own, so if it's down I can fix it myself. I do have some friends on matrix.org that I message with through federation, and some lemmy matrix spaces that are hosted on matrix.org.

If some other instance is down, like matrix.org, rooms and users hosted there will be unreachable until it returns.