TLDR: There are still many unsolved problems. You have to go beyond your mental comfort zone and start exploring your "unknown unknowns". I jumped out of my mental well, found my "unknown unknowns", realized that there's an ocean of problems out there, and am now swimming in it very happily!
Long version:
Same situation as you 6 years ago. Quit "safe", salaried job to work on freelance projects. But eventually realized that most freelance projects too are the CRUD type. Quit that too.
Then I found that fields like computer vision, speech recognition, space exploration and embedded systems still have many many unsolved problems, and require proficiency in theoretical subjects like linear algebra and algorithms, hands on challenges involving electronics and mechanical engineering, and practical software development problems like performance optimization. Every time I learn something in these fields, my mind bursts with new ideas and makes me explore and do more. It's an expanding spiral of unsolved problems. I don't think one lifetime is enough to solve my own ideas, let alone rest of the world's. It's a complete turnaround from how I felt 6 years ago.
Now I enjoy exploring and building my own projects and ideas, and have redeveloped my love for all kinds of programming - low level systems programming , desktop app programming, mobile app programming, even web programming.
I also learnt electronics on my own and thoroughly enjoy my hobby electronics projects.
Long version: Same situation as you 6 years ago. Quit "safe", salaried job to work on freelance projects. But eventually realized that most freelance projects too are the CRUD type. Quit that too.
Then I found that fields like computer vision, speech recognition, space exploration and embedded systems still have many many unsolved problems, and require proficiency in theoretical subjects like linear algebra and algorithms, hands on challenges involving electronics and mechanical engineering, and practical software development problems like performance optimization. Every time I learn something in these fields, my mind bursts with new ideas and makes me explore and do more. It's an expanding spiral of unsolved problems. I don't think one lifetime is enough to solve my own ideas, let alone rest of the world's. It's a complete turnaround from how I felt 6 years ago.
Now I enjoy exploring and building my own projects and ideas, and have redeveloped my love for all kinds of programming - low level systems programming , desktop app programming, mobile app programming, even web programming.
I also learnt electronics on my own and thoroughly enjoy my hobby electronics projects.