While I am officially 'retired' from what allowed me to 'retire' (teaching), I couldn't be more thankful to have 'work' available most days that allows me to cultivate and nurture relationships, which in turn produce wonderfully creative results, and in ever expanding ways, too.
There's a lot of 'in-the-moment' validation in what I do. It was true in teaching, too. The very act of being creative is a form of validation per se. We all create. All the time. You think, you create. I'm always down to learn something new because of it.
Having learned the value of it, I've long since ceased thinking of it as 'work'. I see it as 'opportunity', and a chance to choose and experience satisfaction. Even joy. I acknowledge there can be tedium and drudgery in doing things, but doing good work and the satisfaction available in opportunity is my goal, my prize. So, I'll 'work' as long as I am able to do it well.
Hope you fine CT peeps have a balance of the weekend that exceeds your expectations for it.