It is only if the primary or only reason you do what you do is to make money that you will envy every random person who made or makes a lot of money (or money that exceeds what you made or make).
If self-employment is the opposite of employed-by-other, than a job is outsourcing your freedom (time and talent) to a boss.
You are self employed. You work to pay your bills, build your dreams and create your life, regardless of who signs your paycheck.