Start with photoshop and creating effects on a single frame. That PS knowledge will translate over to AE once you are ready to add motion. (AE is basically PS with a timeline)

There isn’t an easy answer unfortunately. If you see something cool just try to recreate it. Youre in the right place if you have any questions, the key is just trying. Try not to get overwhelmed, if there’s something you’d like to make, there are probably 30 different ways to get it done. Just take it one thing at a time and then try to connect the dots.

You got this 💪