When I was in elementary school, like a lot of kids, my mom made me play piano. I enjoyed it for a bit, but eventually came to really dislike it. I think I played for around 4 years or so? I'm not totally sure. I eventually picked up violin from 2nd grade to 8th grade and that was a whole saga in itself that really ruined my relationship with playing music. I never really played instruments with much passion because I was pressured to do it, and I never felt naturally musically inclined in part because of that.
My brother also used to take piano lessons before quitting as clarinet (and saxaphone) became his main instruments, but I remember him saying he wish he could pick up piano again. He would play it on and off for fun, but these days, he doesn't play it at all. It's unfortunate because he was a pretty talented musician, and much more musically inclined than I was.
Anyways, I didn't understand the sentiment when I was younger because I was so relieved to stop playing piano. But now, I'm finally starting to get it. I want to pick up playing piano again for the sake of picking up a new hobby and hopefully serve as an outlet for my hands when I don't want to think about creating something myself. Obviously, it still requires mental work, but a little less so than actively thinking of ideas myself or trying to analyze a book. You can just play.
That's all a little long winded, but hopefully serves as some context as to how I'm back sitting at my family's Yamaha electric keyboard from when we first moved to California.
I'm using Alfred's Basic Adult All-In-One Course: Level 1. Huge thanks to this video for helping me choose a book. I wanted to get a book that starts from the very very beginning because while I can somewhat remember how my hands should move, I can't even remember how to read notes. I haven't done so since I graduated 8th grade, which is over 9 years ago now. Woof. I realized I forgot where to even put my left hand (the answer is: pinky on C).
All I remember is weirdly enough, the bass clef acrostic "All Cars Eat Gas" for the open spaces. I didn't even remember how to read treble clef notes, and that's supposed to be the easy one-- and the clef I have the most experience with after playing violin for 6 years. Anways, now I know. I've only gone through notes C-G on one hand, so not even an octave, but it's a start.