Those years weren't difficult at all. I know that sounds strange, but the years of silence weren't so tough to take because "Maladjusted" was my least favorite album of his (and remains so). Everything seemed so tired and ill-conceived-- from the songs to the sleeves to the tours-- that I thought he should take time to find his way again. Also, as has been said above, he toured a few times in that time span, giving us the opportunity to see him in small venues. He was obviously alive and well and writing songs, so there wasn't much fear that we'd never hear him again.
Also, since you wanted "personal" responses, I'll add that my need for Morrissey, as a fan, was rather different than it had been for many years. Back in 1988, when I'd go crazy for a few months waiting for the new single, life was bitter and fruitless without new Morrissey material. By 1997 and "Maladjusted", however, I was-- excuse me-- better adjusted. Waiting wasn't so hard. When "Quarry" came out it was the right time. The music was strong, he was given a legend's welcome by the press, and he himself had changed enough to make the comeback artistically worthwhile.
Last but not least, Morrissey-solo, which I discovered in 1998, kept me plugged in to the Morrissey community, if only as an observer. David has done such a wonderful job with this site. If this hadn't existed, those wilderness years would have been much, much worse. Others have said, and I agree, that Morrissey owes David a debt of gratitude for helping to keep many Morrissey fans from wandering away forever. What might have been seven years of total blackout didn't feel that way at all. If Morrissey is now discovering text messaging, he might also be figuring out the importance of the Internet. Smiths/Morrissey sites were crucial in those years, and none was better than David's.