I hear you sst. I too have not 'picked up' in quite a while. The other day I picked up my guitar, and within 5 minutes my fingers were really hurting. All callouses gone. It's not the same when playing bass. The fatter strings just don't dig in as much.
Do you remember as a kid, and first learning the guitar, how driven you were? I can remember playing until my fingers bled (that line in 'Juke Box Hero' is no lie).... and playing right through the pain cuz you couldn't let your band mates down. Then, over time, the callouses came, and it was glorious. Could play for hours, and only feel a little numb by the end of the night. Not any more lol.... 10 - 20 minutes on a guitar, and I'm puttin' it down lol.
But yeah, I kinda lost the old drive too. Last time I played in a band was about 6 years ago, and I found that I needed to 'wood shed' extensively. Even on familiar 60's & 70's classic rock.... I was having problems with my memory. For the first time ever, I had to write down the first several notes to several songs on my song list just to remember where I start (...what a drag it is getting old...) lol. So 'that', and the time thing as you mentioned... has me thinking about selling gig equipment, and calling it day. Maybe just keep a few pieces to enjoy now and again. Kinda sad.
On the other hand.... you James..... as far as I'm concerned.... you're superman!
