The problem is, what do I play? I don't think picking random notes would be helpful, because random notes are bound to sound discordant and out of rhythm, and that probably doesn't have a nice, relaxing effect.

Incidentally, yesterday I saw an ad for an app called Yousician, which is supposed to make playing music into a game. But it seems its free version is very limited and the premium costs $20/month, which is kind of out of my budget.

Maybe you, Laurie, mean just jamming. Unfortunately, I never learned how to do that. Like I said, I spent all my time practicing exercises (from books) and learning songs.

Also, my guitar mindset has been turning pretty negative, and something I realized yesterday is that a way my comparison with a videogame session is inapt is that a guitar you pretty much have to play every day. Not only are there muscles that have to be kept in shape, but also calluses to be maintained, otherwise it'll be painful. I feel like this factor turns it into a chore instead of a fun activity that you can pick up whenever you want.

On the one hand, I see all these negatives, and on the other hand I don't want to believe that it's just been a many-year-long, expensive mistake.