I used to play, noting there are a few different play styles for the game. I liked building, and spent most of my time doing as such. Then once done with the build, Id have idea of who would live there, and then make them and move them in. Play the people in live mode for some time, a short time, and move on to the next build. Sometimes id have a favorite character, and Id play them for a longer while.

Its just fun, its an escape of my own situation, and ive always loved architecture and design. Some folks like making big families, there are generational challanges you can do, I only ever got to third gen though, but some folks will go for a long time. My goals were always build my own structure and peoples for evert lot on every map. But theres so many different ways to play.

trying to make positive changes in a Sims life, and it only makes me feel worse about trying to improve my own situation.

Haha same, whenever I was working on improving their life, I was always acutely aware that I could be spending that time improving my own :D I guess there was some satisfaction from wish fulfilment (they own a house, wow), but yea I always spent an afternoon setting up mods, another day or 2 playing, then just got bored. Rinse and repeat every couple years. (Though I haven't touched Sims 3 since the pandemic, and never tried Sims 4 so whatevs xd)

Not tryna Sound condescending but I think you’re playing it wrong then from what i’ve Read. To me sims is more of a sandbox than a sim tbh Which is why its kinda annoying that inzoi got Compared/promoted to sims as a sims killer when inzoi clearly is more of a sim. You dont have to go out of your way to make your sims happy. Usually I just Experiment with the sims that I Play with and See what I can do. I have intentionally murdered Quite a few sims or tried Making others miserable and others I just tried to lifemaxx.