This is cool to read. I'm about 6 months in making a game 99% myself, full time. Writing all the code / making all the 3d models / sfx / marketing etc. A friend has recently been helping me with music. Reading what you just said is heartening, I've received some shade about how inefficient it is to do it this way.
I chose to do that so my vision would shine through (and so the art style would have some core consistency!). It's still an open question if society will appreciate what I can deliver enough to support me continuing to do it.
It's an interesting feeling to be in the midst of it. ~Every other day when I post a little 30 second video of progress on twitter, it's like a question to society asking if I'm good enough, if I should be allowed to go to the dentist, maybe buy new glasses some day as a reward. Is my mettle enough to survive without evermore accepting the indignities that come with fealty to someone else's banner? Someone else's dreams? The trickle of likes and follows have been a resounding "maybe! We're bewildered but intrigued. Keep going!"
It's like a super position between a catastrophic, financially ruinous midlife crisis -- or being some eccentric who knew he would be alright all along. Just between you and me, it could go either way. Reality will write the label.
While the uncertainty is kind of fun, I'm really excited to be nearing a moment to get a firmer answer. It's hard to imagine any answer could get me to stop tbqh.