I used to have macarons that were always flat and sad. I watched a video where someone said the batter should flow like thick honey. I started folding less, and it helped a lot. Now they come out with perfect little feet every time. It's a small win, but it means a lot to me.
Oh wow, congrats on the macaron feet! I had the exact same issue for ages. My batter was always overmixed and they'd come out like pancakes. Once I started checking the ribbon test and stopping sooner, it was a game changer. That thick honey flow is totally the key.