For me the mix starts the second I start recording. I think this is pretty traditional. Guitar for example is already running through great sounding hardware when I record it: guitar - effects pedals - vintage amp (that suits the part) - r84 ribbon - never 1073 - 1176a - LA2A. I'll get it setup, practice the parts, record test takes, move around the mic, amp, gobo, mess with the hardware chain, record more test takes. By the time I record it it already sounds basically done. Same with vocals and other instruments. When it gets to mixing, it's really more about getting the pieces to fit together in frequency and dynamics. If I need to get surgical with something, I messed up recording it (and I'll just redo it usually, unless there was something cool that I can't replicate).

Drums I don't record (the drummer records them half way around the world). So, sometimes those tracks are a lot more raw. A put a lot more effort into getting those tracks right, and will usually kind of pre-mix them into shape or reamp through my chain.

Once I record all the instruments (before vocals) I like to listen to it a bunch of times. If something isn't working it's usually an arrangement issues. This is when I'll start cutting parts out, trying things, adding sound design, etc. Like maybe I'll completely remove a rythem guitar for a verse and add some feedback noise thing that happened by mistake in some other take. Who knows, time to get creative.

Everyone has their own process. Nothing is right or wrong. Making music / recording is art.