One thing I like about being an ordinary Hindu is that I can have my rituals, and rules that are not excessive.
I do meditation in the form of nāma japa, that is, the chanting or repetition of a divine name. Another I like to do is visualize the beautiful, perfect feet of my object of worship.
You sound like me. There are ancient laws in Hinduism that I think reflected the conventional wisdom of the era and place but are probably mostly irrelevant today, especially outside of India. On the other hand, there are pious customs that I practice because I like the symbolism in them and the fact that they help me distinguish myself as a Hindu. Plus, some of them are dharma anyway.
You are not the only one. The impatience in this, by the way, reveals that you have the 'religious gene.' I have it and so do some other members of RF. Basically, we are 'genetically' meant to be religious, always, and we will not rest until we find the religion that satisfies us.
For the most part, I think, people are going to behave in accordance with their culture and environmental background. Boatloads and boatloads of Western Christians do not walk as Christ did. On the other hand, there are countries such as South Korea where over 50% of people are irreligious yet very humble and kind. They might have some 'toxic' views from a Western perspective, but everybody there is safe outside even at night. Regardless of what country one lives in, being religious means trying to seriously live up to higher standards, and few individuals even bother.
If I had a dollar for every time I did that, I'd be able to afford a plane ticket from Dallas to Waco!
The excitement will definitely wear off, yes, but if you remain committed to the religion, especially its spirituality, you will obtain results that are more interesting than the honeymoon phase.
In the school of Vedānta philosophy that I subscribe to, Brahman is the only reality, and the devas or gods in the Vedic hymns are parts of Brahman. Souls are also parts of Brahman. Who is Brahman? My school says Viṣṇu, but I find myself inclined toward the teachings of Goswami Tulsidas lately, who taught that Rāma is Brahman.