I totally understand where you're coming from! Knowledge is never a waste, even if you don't have the funds to invest in Bitcoin right now. It actually prepares you to make smarter financial decisions when you do have the money. By the way, I'm really happy for you for taking that leap and making your first Bitcoin purchase! What's even better is that you're using your spare cash and practicing dollar-cost averaging during price dips. That shows you know what you're doing! Remember, Bitcoin is a long-term investment, so stay committed and you'll be just fine. Keep it up
The initial steps taken will determine the journey that will be taken and in my opinion when someone has studied and invested it is a pretty good start regardless of what will happen, but I believe the process that will be gone through will be comparable to what will be obtained later.
In theory and what will happen in investing will be slightly different because some undesirable things are possible to happen so having knowledge first and making real moves is a step to expand the knowledge you already have.
There are indeed many things that need to be paid attention to in detail, as you said, I really agree.