back to basics

[alimcg]

Hello everyone, Im new on the scene. Its been a few years since Ive played piano, I completed all the grades and think Im a pretty good sight reader but I havent played for ages due to laziness and lack of opportunity. Recently I am feeling a calling to get back to music.

What I really want to be able to do is sit down and play something. without music! It would seem that after so many years of being classically trained, I am bound by sheet music, and my mind goes blank when I try to play either from memory or improvise.
Any ideas,or suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thanks :D

[gersdal]

My 2c: Start with something simple (Tom Dooley if you like) and play by ear. Find the melody and chords. Arrange it in a reasonalbe way. Play some variations of the melody. Try to find an alternative melody to the chords. I love "studying" the intervals in the chords as inspiration for finding the alternative melody.