I was nervous to try Linux at 1st. Even though I don't game, I work in data entry. Plus I didn't vibe with certain stuff like the terminal commands or the fact that there's multiple ways to install things depending on the program and the OS. I actually tried Ubuntu & Trisquel in a virtual machine before I was thinking of trying out Mint. I did not like it that much. I'm not sure why I didn't vibe with Ubuntu, but vibed with Mint. But with Trisquel, it ran slow, probably because my hardware requires proprietary drivers. I respect the Linux Libre project, but in a capitalist society where manufacturers prioritize things like copyright & profit, I don't think it's really feasible. I think open source was kinda created to function in an idealized version of capitalism that center-right people often imagine, even if I'd imagine in a communist/socialist society, there'd be less of a need for copyright. But that's a discussion for a different time. Point is I used to think Linux was not for me. Then "AI" becomes the new buzzword and Windows 11 & 10 start forcing their "Copilots" and "Recalls" onto consumers. But I was still hesitant to try Linux. So I "debloated" Windows 10, using things like Privacy.Sexy. I also themed it using things like Open Shell, Retrobar and Win7 Gadgets. However after Microsoft said it was ending support and updates to Windows 10, I finally decided to take the "linux pill", without even using a virtual machine 1st, and I've been pretty happy so far. I heard Linux Mint recommended often to newcomers from Windows. So I went with that.
Linux Mint is both more simple & more complicated than it's made out to be. You can do most stuff through the GUI and be fine & the default layout is similar to Windows, just a start menu and a taskbar. However sometimes things require tinkering and lots of questions. Fortunately, the support forum has been nothing but helpful with my questions. Another thing is I like how customizable it is. Plus I find it freeing to rely less on "big tech." I don't have to worry about my distro making military grade AI for a certain military or whatever like with Microsoft. Most of the controversies in Linux boil down to things like Ubuntu including opt-out telemetry or Red Hat becoming more proprietary, which I probably will avoid them, but it seems less bad in comparison, especially since Windows is already more invasive & proprietary. I also think that sometimes Linux is just fun? Like not only do you have things like themes, widgets, & panel/taskbar plugins still. But sometimes the commands you can use in the terminal aren't just practical. For example, if you have cmatrix installed, you can generate Matrix-style ASCII art in your terminal. There's also other ASCII art terminal stuff like "curl parrot.live" which also works on Windows & MacOS. I prefer to not use the terminal unless I have to though or I'm bored and wanna look at some cool ASCII art. Another thing I like is that the programs on the start menu or whisker menu are all categorized. So instead of having to look through the whole apps list or search for an app, I can just click on a category and find it there.