As a consultant, you can choose the days that are open for booking, a lot of companies don't need full time help or can't afford it, and I'm highly productive when I don't hate a project. So it works out.
Eh, I started around 2010 with salesforce.com and business intelligence stuff, then python and javascript web applications, then machine learning. Started a couple companies. Worked with a lot of different types of clients, from SMB to F500. Worked too hard in my 20s and now am pretty burnt on "SV culture" and the cult of productivity.
So if you want to be like me, work like crazy for 10 years, develop crippling anxiety, and then move to europe I guess :D