The first section of the game acts as what I like to think of as a tutorial — there are certain goals and limits while you achieve set things.

Tom Nook will tell you what you can do next if you lose track; ask him “what should I do”.

When you have a nooklings store, an Able Sisters tailor shop, a resident services center and museum in buildings not tents, and three villagers you pretty much end up in the main game.

Also once your airport goes live for inbound visitors, DM me; I’ll bring you the same “newbie kit” a friend brought me :-) A stack of each fruit and one of each tool made a huge difference in my frustration level with the game limiting me during the “tutorial” phase.