One of the few times I found to be "in the moment" was on a substance(m) which I'm not saying that's the only way. My point in this comment is, this is the time when I'm not in my "auto-pilot tasks in mind" mode everyday where I forget I'm sitting on a chair/inside a box most of my day.
Other similar feelings being in nature, looking at things closely like the color of leaves. Watching a stream of water flow or something.
I think that sentiment of "something you enjoyed sticks to you/makes time seem longer/remember it more" vs. repetitive tasks that are joined together later forget.
My personal goal is freedom because I'm always afraid of "what if I lose my job" and "I have to get up at this hour". I can't just be like "today I'm just gonna go do this randomly because it peaked my interest". I think I will be a homesteader with a garage producing videos of whatever stuff I build.
But for now... gotta pay my debts/work. FiRe will get there as I don't need much.
And I don't know at the end of the day the clock ticks, time is running down... what matters to you?