Did I waste 2 years learning phone photography wrong?

Finally feel like my phone shots are actually decent after two years of fumbling around. Turns out I was obsessed with megapixels and filters instead of light and composition. Anyone else go through this phase?

Started with a Pixel 4 and thought more zoom = better photos. Ended up with blurry messes and over-edited sunsets. Switched to manual mode on my new phone and suddenly things clicked. What’s the dumbest photography mistake you’ve made before improving?