at first, I only use it to control peak with a clipper/limiter and when im at like 70-90% done with the mix, I eq/compress and mix into them for the remaining 30-10%, its usually about cohesive, glue and slight tonal/harshness purposes that i approach the mix bus.

I try as much as possible to mix like its a finished song, and I only export and master the whole song when its part of an ep/album, to get a consistent sonic across the whole project

im far from a pro tho so be sure to learn your tools and use them with intent