It doesn’t need rhel 7, our issue is that we compiled it on rhel 7 and then built apps that link against that compiled version, and since it has hard links to packages at rhel 7 versions. So we are a bit stuck on rhel 7 until we get off of it completely.
What packages in particular? I have seen people use https://asdf-vm.com/ for what you are asking for installing tools like kubectl/helm/terraform in their home dir as a user.
My current work uses pkgsrc and it seems more designed for making firmware images. We are trying to get off of pkgsrc as it has us locked into running rhel 7 currently.
For me I am wondering if/realizing it may be Frequency illusion, partly from reflecting more. I do agree that reading what other people experience and understanding/listening to what I and my body need makes it seem like it is worse/more for me.