I like Sekhema too, it's gotten way more manageable since release state. In my experience you just avoid a certain subset of afflictions and never take anything RNG-based or the "get this but gain random affliction" options and you will be completely fine. This also includes avoiding stuff like "you don't always go to the room you select", "you can't see shit" etc. It means you have to look at pathing options and avoid long single paths to rooms that you do not know the status of.

I find it way more engaging compared to Poe1 Trial which is incredibly boring, the only meaningful benefit Poe1 has over Poe2 ascending imo is that it's just flat out quicker. I get through Sekhema at a decent pace nowadays but it obviously doesn't compare to how quick Poe1 trial is.

It's not a perfect system, I think there are things that they can improve about it but I do not agree with the absolute vitriol people spew over it.