I wouldn't call Itch.io a sanctuary but I find your mental state admirable and I agree with the fact that, through creation, a mental zen state is attainable. Having complete joy and control in your works is a very powerful state of mind. I'm very happy for you and I think that a good piece of advice for game developers and writers out there is to stop taking things so seriously. Of course you shouldn't be dicking around the entire time but if you don't stop and smell the roses along the way then you have missed out on a very big part of creating. It's about the finished product, sure, but I'd argue it's just as much about the process of creating that work than the end result. The reward is the creation itself and in an ideal world us creatives wouldn't need to rely on finances to make our dreams come true. I hope all of you passionate can reach that point.
And to the OP: Keep making things. I hope this state has only furthered your fuel for creativity and not made you go soft or anything haha