I’ve noticed something interesting lately when I’m freelancing, even small wins like landing a client or finishing a project give me this weirdly satisfying mental buzz. But during my old 9-to-5 days, hitting milestones rarely felt as rewarding, even when the stakes were higher. It got me wondering: is there something about freelancing that plays nicer with our dopamine systems? The unpredictability, the autonomy, or maybe just the direct link between effort and outcome?
Would love to hear if others have felt this too, or if there’s any neuroscience or behavioral psychology nerds here who can shed light on why freelancing might feel more rewarding. Or am I just romanticizing the grind?