The more you learn the less you'll care and be hard on yourself about production itself :) please keep in mind that every high end producer will tell you that melody, arranging, sound selection is more important than compression EQ side chaining etc. Those how to videos are... OK. but ultimately I've learnt the most by listening to my favourite songs :) You won't give up if you're just having fun with it. That's the key. Don't worry about the top 40 or your friends. (This is for every new producer reading this). I know it's very stressful now because you just want to make awesome songs that are pleasing to your ears, but it'll happen. Everything will improve and once you're comfortable with it you'll have the most fun :). Reddit is very helpful yes, but Eqing won't fix a bad track, compression and side chaining also won't. Take all the effects of a madeon song. Will it sound much worse? Yes of course, but it'll still sound like a madeon song! Same with every other annoying track that's pasted all over tv and radio.
Few tips: everything has its place, get to know where your sounds are sitting on the spectrum. Does your lead feel too high? Is it mucking up your snares? Down the octave then. Kick drum sound bad? Get a better sounding one. Track not really taking off? Work on the melody a bit more. Use your mind, like writing an awesome story. Hum with your mouth. Does the track sound harsh or unpleasant to your ears? Move your bass and leads up and down. Effects not really popping? Change their pitch or switch them up for other ones.
You can get a track sounding 99 percent perfect without mixing effects. It may seem impossible now but you'll improve. I've been producing for 3 years, and I don't touch mixing effects until the track is done and sounding awesome.
This is for everyone on here - DONT take every silly YouTube tutorial to heart every time!! Take the good advice when you see it, then get off YouTube! Mixing effects are there to make your track sound radio. That's it! They are extremely amazing tools yes, but they are there to put the polish on your already amazing track.
Remember, read this advice then read other advice and make up your mind and take what you think makes sense.