Recording at home is like in Glenn Gould’s studio trying to make perfect recordings. Since we’d listen to a recording over, a little miss get noticed.
When playing outside your home including friends & family gatherings, you’re less concerned with missing notes. Not playing against a metronome your tempo would vary a bit.
Last October I played “What a Wonderful World” on an old piano in a store. A young man was watching not in a critical way like a teacher but out of curiosity. Feels like a Show n’ Tell in class. You’re in control showing others something interesting.
In December during a Christmas gathering played an arrangement of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” on a second-hand piano. A lady whose husband used to own the piano watched and asked for permission to record. Again like a Show n’ Tell. Somebody wanted to keep the sound of the piano that was in her home for memory. Restarted the song to make sure she got the best sound.
I’ve been to 1 gathering where half the group had music lessons but only played for their teachers so don’t feel the stress of competing with anybody. Another gathering people are musical. Many play with a local music group or a choir. My playing blended in quickly. Everybody appreciates music and not critical of every little mistake.