I absolutely love being a solo developer when I have the right client/gig. Unfortunately, finding those opportunities can be difficult. I enjoy the cyclical d

I absolutely love being a solo developer when I have the right client/gig. Unfortunately, finding those opportunities can be difficult. I enjoy the cyclical development pattern where I spend a LOT of time - not quite gamedev crunch time, but occasionally close - building the first main production iteration. Then I get to relax a little and balance adding features and reducing debt. And finally I reach a maintenance and support phase which typically requires very little time and effort. That last phase is when you'll find me traveling, "living the good life". But even during the early intensive phases, having the freedom and authority to decide what tools to use, where to physically work from, and even what time of day to work is of such value that the heavy workload is less painful than big company in-office alternative scenarios. As for routine, exercise is indeed a big benefit and contributor toward success. Some office work situations have good workout opportunities, but many do not. And if the daily commute takes a lot of time, then exercise is one of the things that tends to get cut or squeezed down to a level where it doesn't provide much benefit.