i self ship for a lot of reasons - to cope (the main reason tbh), because i like expanding the possibilities of my favorite universes by creating self inserts for them, because i just have a lot of love in my heart, because IT'S FUN!!
self shipping has helped my confidence a LOT, and helps me cope with a lot of things that would make society consider me "unlovable" (psychosis, physical disability, et cetera). ever since i began to self-ship, i've had a lot more self-esteem, and it's REALLY helped my creativity too; i first got into digital art because i fell in love with a fictional character, haha!!
plus, i just really love creating!!