I really admire that change in attitude.
I came into paddling from years of backpack trips.
We always ended up biting off more than we could chew (almost), and very rarely stopped too take in the sights.
It was a quick look and on down the trail, with a set amount of miles, so we could make our pickup deadline.
When we started tripping, we did the same thing, but the others couldn't handle the physical part and so when I went solo, I was still pushing hard everyday.
When I found QJ, I would read others trip reports about areas that I had been, but really never SAW

I blew by, missing great campsites, fishing spots and picture opportunities, I never knew were there.
I can and will go hard through a lesser area, but now when I hit a beautiful area, I want too spend some time and really see it, not just as another spot on the map.
Someday I'll do a 30 day trip, and I'll do as you did, just sort of meander and take it all in

Of course it will probably ruin me for shorter trips like it did you, but I'm willing too chance it