Worst beginner mistakes after a year

I tried three different approaches and none of them felt quite right.

Looking for honest feedback, not validation. Not sure if this is the right place to ask, mods please remove if it is not. Not sure if this is the right place to ask, mods please remove if it is not.

For context, I am working with a pretty modest budget so high-end suggestions probably will not land. Maybe an unpopular opinion but here we go.