You can run a node without being a routing node.

I have to agree that overall, being a routing node if you don't have a large amount of capital is not profitable, but the question then becomes one of custody.

If you want a non-custodial lightning "account" that will work on all your devices, running a node is the only way to do it, and if it's just you zapping to and from it, channel balancing shouldn't be a problem.

Of course you can also use the non-custodial mobile wallets like Phoenix, which are a perfectly reasonable compromise if you want custody of your funds but find managing a node to be a headache. The mobile solutions will only get better too - I am looking forward to seeing if Mutiny Wallet can deliver on its grand promises (basically a full node in an app).

So basically: no, not worthwhile routing unless you can put a lot of sats in, unless it's something you just enjoy as a hobby and don't care much about how long it takes to ROI.

But the main benefit of running your own node as a small fish right now is full custody of your sats on all your devices.