My experience mirrors yours. I started using KDE back in the 1.x days, and continued up through 3.5. I switched to OS X for a few years, then when I came back to Linux I discovered how wonderful i3 was to use. I've been on Sway now for a few years, but they're functionally equivalent with each other.

I try KDE each time a major new release hits, but I just can't give up my Sway workflow. Maybe KDE+ Bismuth would do it.