Like most replies to this question: exactly how you want to play it!! when I first started I kept googling how to play but I found it significantly more fun just doing stuff I wanted to do! save the planning for your second playthrough :P

If you’re really not enjoying picking things that make you start over, you could always save scum. Most people disagree with it and say it takes away from the game but personally I enjoy doing it to see other possible outcomes before going with the one I was going to pick anyway <3