viagra for the soul

I wrapped up my issue of The Outsiders yesterday. Something felt different.
Usually, about halfway through an issue of anything, I become painfully aware of just how much work I still have ahead of me. I start counting the pages, struggling through the mounting depression, until finally, when the job is done, I breathe a sigh of relief and relax in front of a movie with the knowledge that I'd successfully completed an issue.
Not so this time.
I don't know why, but I barely noticed I was working through most of this project. I'd produce page after page and then a couple of weeks later, I'd look up at my bulletin board and think, 'Jesus. When did I do all of those pages?'. And before I knew it, the issue was done, and I was left feeling satisfaction not at having finished the thing, but at the relative ease with which I'd finished it.
Now, is this positive or negative? I mean, on one hand, it's great that I can do my job with much less stress and fewer insecurities about my abilities (both to do the work and to do it on time). But perhaps it's also indicative of a lesser effort on my part. Shouldn't I be more engaged in the process? I'd hate to think I'm sleeping through any of these pages, or 'phoning them in'. Maybe I should try mixing up angles and drawing things I'm less comfortable with.
But you know, I'm pretty happy with the way this book turned out. There are some genuinely effective mood changes in the story, some good expressions, and I feel that I've conveyed some solid characterization. And I've been experimenting with some different forms of rendering and lighting (admittedly, to a limited degree). Most remarkable, though, is the feeling that I'm ready to jump right into the next project!
Anyone else ever experienced this? I'd love to hear some feedback...