Do you play badly if stakes are too small

[barongreenback]

Playing scared because the stakes are too high is common but I'm wondering about the opposite.

When I started playing I thought a good player would play their best whatever the stakes. I've moved down recently, in part because I'm playing new games (moved from limit to NL and PLO) but also to make poker more enjoyable and relaxing and to have a bit of a break. I notice my play is sometimes casual and unfocused in a way my limit play rarely was. When I play higher I feel like I'm playing scared but I wonder if I actually play better. It could just be the passage of time or other factors in my life causing changes in my attitude.

Some of the top players at this site say they don't play their best when the money is small. Do many of you experience this?

Motivation is probably the issue here.

Thanks,
James