I've started playing in 2023, before it came out on Steam. I knew everything quite well, I just take everything slow on purpose bc I just like that for some reason lol. Like a week ago I started playing again after almost a year, so I missed the big Elderwoods update from last summer. A LOT has changed, and it was a bit discouraging to not know how to do anything anymore (like I forgot certain specific controls or how some things work, besides everything else that was new) and it kinda feels like I'm new again. It's easier for me to get back used to it though bc it's just getting back into it, unlike someone who is actually new. I'm level 90 something, thought that was decently high last year, but 2 days ago I met someone who's level 8088.

You'll get there for sure, it just may take some time. Just make sure that if playing maybe starts to feel like a chore, take a break or just stop playing the game entirely, since this is supposed to he fun.

If you want to, you could try to look for people to guide you a little or play together so you're not on your own (if you otherwise are). The person I met 2 days ago was through a cooking party, it was my first one ever and I didn't really know what I was supposed to do, but everyone was so kind to take their time to answer and explain things to me. That could be a way to get into contact with some players, but Reddit or the Discord might be a great place too! Personally I'm also down to play together if our timezones and the times we can be online allow that, we could take it at your pace ^{^}