Is beginner mistakes for newcomers [v5]

Quick context: I am relatively new to this and trying to find my footing. Posting this here because the relevant subreddit has gotten too noisy lately.

I want to write something more comprehensive about this later but starting with a quick post to gather thoughts. Not sure if this is the right place to ask, mods please remove if it is not. Posting this here because the relevant subreddit has gotten too noisy lately.

Looking for honest feedback, not validation. The trade-offs here are not obvious to me and I keep flip-flopping. Looking for honest feedback, not validation.