Il tempo della nostra vita

Why are all of the main characters leaving the show? This seems to be a"thing" that the writers do every few years when they can't figure out how to move a story line from point A to point B. However, with so many leaving ,ie Gabi and Rafe, Will and Sonny. Now, suddenly Eric decides to go to Africa and we are still wondering if we will actually find Ciara! We have gotten the old new Abby back again, which I think is a good move! But we know that we will soon be loosing Hope. We have no good story lines for the, forgive me, younger set. Ben and Ciara were the Hope and Beau of this generation but .... Chad and Abby are always good together! But without Gabi... Hope without Rafe... All we are left with is A raging John and the long suffering Marlena! Please! The writers need help! Desperately!