"I need work more than I need things, Peg." There's a laundry list of shit that he wish he had, sure- things he misses, things he desperately hopes for but not a single item? Is something he can make. He can't build anything that'd bring him Friday or Jarvis. Can't bring the bots. Can't hammer Rhodey or Pepper into existence. There's not much on hand that could be made into a car, no armor for him to put together (What's the point what's the point what's the point)

So. Projects to keep busy. To help. To defend. Because if he cuts away everything else he ever tried for- that's what he's best at.