Early returns on self-employment are very encouraging.... Not much work yet, but what I've gotten is rather lucrative for the time it took, and it sounds like there's a lot in the pipeline from at least one of the entrepreneurs that I'm working with.... It's surreal but very empowering that I can wake up at 9, start working by 10 without having to get dressed and be done by 4 most of the time. I'm sure that'll change as I get busier, but for now it works well.... The main downside is that because I live in a somewhat inconvenient part of DC, it's not as convenient to get downtown for any evening events compared to if I were still working in the contract job. That's a minor complaint, of course, though.... Longer-term, it also won't be nearly as easy to get a mortgage to finally buy a place, either, since I understand most lenders want at least a year's worth of proven income for self-employed people.
Conversely, unfortunately the dating scene has been very disappointing. Of course, not wanting kids is a disadvantage for me, but I've still only had one date so far. Consequently, I'm refocusing my goals in my personal life into other areas....