It definitely wasn't as dark as I expected but still plenty of difference from usual, but I enjoyed watching the surrounding area darken in the hour leading up to totality. That was my big takeaway I guess, I've seen pictures and video of an eclipse, but you never really get to experience what's going on at ground level.
I can say, when the sun was about 75% covered, the softness of the light was fantastic, my eyes would really appreciate if it was always like that. Then again, it's all relative, so if that was the brightest that it ever got, it would still be "too bright".