I am very much not doing it right yet. As I have not made it so my main wallet is connected to my own node so I am still using other's nodes there. But after a long ass sync, I am finally running Bitcoin core and validating transactions.
This all has been a huge process for me, and I will continue to build on what I've managed to figure out through research and trial and error. I know others are doing far more productive things than I've managed, but I am trying at my own pace.
Thanks all in this wonderful community for being open, helpful and sharing information with others. I have much to learn, and I'm not sure I'll ever reach a place I feel is necessary, but dammit if I won't try a little at a time.