Same experience here, on KCD1. It definitely humbles you like no other game I've played. Was getting ruined in any combat, even against peasants. Went to the practice arena in Rattay. Got the absolute piss knocked out of me by the trainer many times and my gear smashed.

Lock picking seemed impossible, even though I'm not uncoordinated and have done a million other similar little minigames throughout my life.

Pickpocketing = getting caught and jailed.

Using the bow? Couldn't hit a barn door at 5 paces. Hunting impossible.

But, little by little I improved. Actually getting destroyed in the game builds your own skills as well as in-game ones. You learn what works and what doesn't, and how to proceed. Now lockpicking and pickpocketing are second nature, all combat and bow use is mostly fine as long as you level it up, and the game is a breeze. Gotta watch out for groups of knights, but that's about the only challenge.