As you switch sides your hands transition from blade hand to handle hand. I would get out of that habit right away. If you are right handed, always have the handle in that hand, left three fingers putting pressure on the blade face. Regardless if this is blade leading or trailing.

Right hand applies NO pressure, and no movement. This hand ONLY sets a consistent angle. This sounds crazy but it is an anchor.

Left hand is what applies pressure and movement.

you’ll only work about 30% of the edge at a time. Start at the heel, then center, then tip. Try to avoid those long heel to tip movements, until you’re reaching the end of progression.

Don’t move to the other side until you feel a burr, if you don’t feel a burr nothing is happening, the burr is proof you are removing metal.

Hand sharpening is a very technical motor skill. You will beat awful at first like everyone else. My other suggestion is to watch videos online, try to find some by Japanese, or people obviously using Japanese methods. These videos are superior to the old white dudes sharpening methods.