All those fancy recipes sound like so. much. work. Cook, simmer, stir, mix, slice fruit, top with whipped cream, what-have-you. Try to remember to prep the night before? Not gonna happen. Have to be tied to the kitchen for 2 minutes waiting for the microwave? Nope, that's too long, or not short enough; 120 seconds is just...not long enough to accomplish anything else meaningful, and foreeeeeeeever when you're just standing there waiting for it to be done. I want it NOW, lol! Also, I'm usually up way earlier than the rest of the house, and microwave whirring and beeping is not what I want waking my school-aged kidlets before their time.
One of the reasons I love oatmeal is that it's EASY. (I mean, it's also tasty, and filling, and nutritious, but let's face it-- I'm lazy). I pour rolled oats in a bowl, put a spoonful of brown sugar, pour in some milk, and eat. It's only one step more involved than cheerios (scoop of sugar), and about 300 times more filling/nutritious.
If I don't have milk on hand, I use boiling water instead of milk, and let it sit by itself for 5-20 minutes to cook and cool to an edible temperature (meanwhile I do morning routine stuff).
Yes, fruit/nuts/chocolate/spices are all amazing and delicious add-ins. Then again, I'm not a "let's have a soothing morning ritual of putting my breakfast together" kind of person. I have stuff to accomplish, and I just haven't found any other breakfast option even remotely approaching the same level of easy/quick/cheap/good. If there was, I'd be happy to switch.