To add on to what @azzy-m said -- for me, it's about the content I made. Was I able to get out those ideas that were swimming in my head? Was I able to see the characters I wanted to draw? Was I able to gush over the characters I made?
Then I'm satisfied. I already acknowledge that I have room to grow and have been growing. But most of the time, I just like looking back on my content and going "Yess -- now I got the stuff I want".
Even if the art isn't polished and it's definitely flawed, I can still look back at my old art and go "Yeeah, younger me knew what was up" I just like to fangirl over my work.
It's more alongside that kid mindset -- the need to get that story/character out kinda outweighs the need for constant validation from other people. Hell, it even fuels my desire to improve.