"...and struggle as much now to keep focus and not drift into continuing internal conversations as I did when I started."

If you notice that you're having an internal conversation then you have awareness and you should rejoice in that! I think too often people assume that meditation needs to be a completely focused empty mind at all times. Mingyur Rinpoche does a great job explaining it (and is a great teacher, would highly recommend his courses): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thcEuMDWxoI