I’ve played for almost 1000 hours by now I think. I have several saves and I keep starting new games. I’ve done the “maximum profit” run and became a millionaire, and I’ve tried other stuff too like specializing on a particular crop or animal etc.

But my current save is my favorite, it’s the most fun I’ve ever had. I’m not trying to get rich or get any achievements, I’m playing as closely to how I’d do things irl as possible. I’m making friends with everybody, planting only the crops I want, doing whatever I feel like doing that particular day. If I feel like fishing, I go fishing. If I feel like just hanging out with the townsfolk, I do that.

If I could go back in time, I’d play this way first. SV is a really chill game. You don’t have to optimize, rush through things, or have goals for year one. You can just try again next year. There’s no punishment, other than having to wait for a season to come around so you can try something again. The posts you’re seeing here and getting overwhelmed by are from people like me who have played a lot and are giving themselves challenges, to see how quickly they can do or achieve something or other.

imo, the best thing you can do to really get into it is relax and enjoy the game your own way. Do whatever feels right. There’s no punishment.

The only tip I’ll give you is if you happen to find a coffee bean in the mines, hold on to it and plant it in the spring. Coffee is a great and very useful crop that lasts two seasons. Be sure to always save a few coffee beans for the next season.