Big dummy requesting help

I've bounced off of Elite Dangerous a handful of times and I'm thinking about diving back in again and trying to do it right, for lack of a better term. I'm not asking for people to group up with or anything, just a little guidance on how to progress.

The last time I played was around a week after the Odyssey release, and even with the occasional on-foot mission, I mainly was just a space trucker because it wasn't too complicated for my smooth brain (while also being very relaxing, and even a little exciting with VR). Not even a legit space trucker, I was just taking contracts. I'd like to get back in and actually get into some action this time, but I don't even really know where to start. I remember attempting some combat missions before and getting completely stomped and not knowing why – did I bring a ship that wasn't up to the task? Am I just that bad?

Also, I did think the on-foot stuff was intriguing, but it was super buggy when I played. How have things come along on that front?

This post will probably be really annoying to some people, and maybe the game just plain isn't for me, but something keeps bringing me back to it despite all the times I've bounced off it. Maybe if I go in with the right mindset this time it'll finally stick.