Wasn't it weird how good it felt? I get that same rush from small fixes too. It's like you beat the system and saved all that money for yourself. That moment when you flush and it actually works right is pure victory. Doing it yourself just adds a layer of pride that hiring someone never could. It really is one of the best simple feelings.
That "winning a championship" feeling you described is so true! I unclogged my kitchen sink a while back and it was the same for me. It had been draining slow for weeks and I was ready to call a plumber. When I finally got it clear with a simple trick, I felt like I had conquered the world. The pride lasts for days honestly. Fixing something yourself just hits different.