In case you missed it, you can use Mastodon's "Lists" feature to create themed mini-timelines with accounts you select. You can then hide these accounts from your main timeline if you want, so that it isn't so crowded.
@FediTips I tried doing something similar with "circles" on Google Plus, but for me at least I end up eating the whole feed anyway, or only eat my main circle and the rest might just as well be unfollowed.