My initial parts selection was originally based on a whim. I wanted to get started and with my daughter’s encouragement, I bought a motor. Then I tried to buy components that would work with it. It may prove to have been a mistake but it got me started.

I don’t think this is actually a bad approach in retrospect. It’s not the cheapest approach, but there is a lot of learning to be done on this journey. And you’re better off moving than standing still, even if sometimes it feels like you’re moving backwards, you’re probably learning.