I recently got into the world of self-hosting, and although I'm doing it through a VPS I've learned many interesting things, even so, I've only had my VPS contracted for 10 days, and of those 10 days, 8 I spent burning my head learning concepts that I had never heard or understood, and actually it's funny because I remember that's what it was like to learn to use Linux.
To begin with, I started with Ubuntu 22.04 and docker, in some situations installing the service was simple, running a command in my console and opening a browser in localhost and the port used, simple, but as I was installing services I found some that they simply exceeded my patience and knowledge, as was Peertube where I simply do not understand why I need to put a name and a password to a thousand different databases, and many times they use concepts like <SECRET KEY> I don't have the slightest idea what it means.
And so, I came across Yunohost, who makes the selfhosting process miserably easy, but so easy it honestly makes me feel dirty, to the point that I remember dualbooting Windows simply out of fear of Linux.
Now, I have 100% intentions to learn all those concepts that I don't know and manage my servers on my own and it's not that I'm "afraid" to do things on my own, but I need a stable server where I can have my services hosted, I can't create a docker instance to realize the following week that I restart the server to update that I forgot to point to a persistent volume and I lost all my data, which didn't happen to me but it was possible because in the end I do this for hobby and I'm experimenting.
And I don't know, I don't feel exactly "good" with Yunohost, I mean, it works great but what if for example I want to host something that is not in their list of supported services? I basically screwed myself. I feel like I'm in the same situation where I dualbooted Windows just for fear of Linux.
Edit: Thank you all for commenting! I am not answering them one by one because it would take me too long, but I want to clarify that I do read the messages and I agree with most of the comments, if not all! Although yes, I won't keep burning my head over it, while my VPS works, I'll learn everything I can virtualizing on my own PC.
Firstly, you are to praised for wanting to learn as many today only want to learn what is pertinent to making money and not learning for the pure good that it does. Secondly, you should not feel bad about using Yunohost. Everyone needs to start somewhere and everyone was once a newbie. Have you given any thought to purchasing a laptop or desktop on the used marketplace to use as machine to learn Linux on? I highly recommend people go that route. A Lenovo T430 - 450 can usually be had for about 130-160 dollars. This will help making learning an all-in experience. I found that being immersed in the world of Unix-like operating systems was essential for my own learning. I am self-taught when it comes to Linux and the BSDs. The best system admins know that in the Unix world you're constantly learned. The kernel and tools that comprise the operating system are many and rather vast.
Let me ask you this: What is your goal in self-hosting? Think about why it is that you want to do it and work on one service at a time. I self-host my own Mastodon and Lemmy services in docker containers on an Arch Linux box in my home. Do they have 100% uptime? Um, yeah no, because it is a learning environment and in learning you have to permit yourself to make mistakes. The learning lab environment is one that will teach you to carefully plan updates, server migrations, server hardware upgrades, etc. It teaches you the non-technical side of things like planning.
I have also seen a lot of folks try to run before they have learned to walk and want to zoom right to technical complexities of self-hosting. Please take the time to learn Linux and start with the basics. Become comfortable with the command line and the troubleshooting tools that are available to you. By learning the basics and progressing towards your goal steadily, you will find yourself less frustrated and the learning experience more enjoyable and personally valuable.