It's a common rookie mistake Don't beat yourself up over it. It is all about status miles.
AP miles help you to draw down reward flights and other promotions with partners.
I don't think you will find too many with seven figures regular miles. I once started a thread on that.

In my own case I have 615,000 AP miles which I am accumulating to use when I retire to travel. Hopefully when that happens I will have SE status- which I will achieve this year for the first time ! - because this allows for instant KK of reward seats.

Enjoy your miles and get status !