I agree about the "maintaining strength" being a problem... I often find myself with TPGK, at the river, like wtf? What am I doing?

About the flop play though, I think that maybe if I had raised strong, but not all in, perhaps I might have had MORE fold equity? I feel that sometimes, the chance to play for stacks appeals to the gambler in villain, whereas a strong raise lets him know I mean business. For all I know, he thought I was stealing the pot? I can't see him believing he had the nuts or even the best draw here.