Guess the cows were the only thing keeping that mayapple patch from world domination.

The thing nobody talks about is how much muscle memory you lose. Your brain holds onto the map layout and shrine spots but the actual combat timing fades. Those guardians probably clapped you because you were a step slow after months away, not because you got worse at puzzles. Your nephew also had one huge edge: zero map anxiety. You already opened every tower so he just fast traveled straight to the divine beasts. That first playthrough is mostly walking and wondering where to go. He skipped all of that on your save. Kid basically ran a speedrun with your homework already done.

Happens everywhere, small hobbies always eat the main thing alive.