Self-fulfillment is a little different for everyone. Some people, like myself, when we’re helping other people and working hard, if we succeed, it feels great to see that the end result made those people happy.

Sometimes, though, I do feel a little sense of fulfillment when I’ve worked hard and spent a lot of time on my mini painting and someone compliments the end result. Not often, but sometimes. Honestly, it should feel more fulfilling most of the time, but you know the saying “you’re your own worst critic,” so I end up always looking at the little flaws, mistakes, and imperfections, and trying to figure out how to improve. It’s not always easy to acknowledge those things, but I know there are times I’ve seen the results of that hard work as well, and that does a little to help me feel fulfilled because I know I’m on the right track.

In the end, it’s always the results that trigger the sense of fulfillment, and I know some people chase that feeling, but I try to remind myself that life itself is hard work and every day is full of choices and little victories. It helps me keep moving forward to the next big, fulfilling thing.