You’re not dumb— this is a common take actually.

Stardew Valley can get extremely stressful. You literally have to keep track of the entire town’s schedule as well as the time limits you mentioned.

I know what you mean - but on the other hand, there is no way to lose. You grow your vegetables and they are bringing quite the profit margin. If you “die” in the dungeons, you just wake up at the start. Your crops can’t fail. You can wait for years to finish some quests.

Time game is functionally infinite. If you miss an event this year, that’s fine it will be back next year.
One of the few things that is permanent is Robin increasing her prices after year one.

That’s how I played it. It’s also the first and only game I’ve gotten 100% achievements for lol