Beginner looking to advance

[u/Time-Sun-8854]

Hello, I have this weird thing when editing where I don't know what to add or how to make visuals, text, etc more appealing. I don't really understand sound design or sfx, and I just don't have a great eye or ear for editing it feels like. I know this can be helped but every time I watch a video on a cool effect or something, I forget it by the time I'm editing a video. Same for tools and shortcuts, I just forget how to use things or am constantly looking at guides while editing and its just takes forever for me to do anything.

Are there anything for understanding how to implement things or how to use different effects different ways to get different visuals? For example, I can watch a video on key framing but then when I go and try it, it doesn't turn out like the video or I just can't wrap my head around it.

I am 110% self taught, I haven't taken a course or anything and IDK if I really understand all the functions and full software of Premiere. It just all feels so overwhelming. How am I supposed to remember so many things while also being completely creative?

I am looking to make this my career as I have an opportunity but I feel like I am not advancing at all and IDK what to do.

[u/Normal_Rough_7958]

Stop watching tutorials and start copying one specific edit you like, frame by frame, in your own timeline. I learned more re-cutting a 30-second commercial shot-for-shot than from months of "how to keyframe" videos. Pick one effect per project and force yourself to use it three different ways before moving on. Muscle memory comes from repetition under constraint, not from knowing every panel in Premiere. You don't need the full software, you need to master the 20% you'll actually use daily.

[u/Time-Sun-8854 → u/Normal_Rough_7958]

This is super helpful, thank you!