Experienced players: What do you wish you would've known at the beginning of your PoE2 journey?

Nothing, experiencing the game the first time through is the way. Always prioritize the journey instead of the destination.

That a divine was valuable so I didn’t use my first one in act 1 cruel out of curiosity.

Nothing! to enjoy the new experience to the fullest

Wish I knew less. The best time playing this game is experiencing it for the first time and figuring it out without anyone telling you what to do.

When leveling through the campaign don't worry about gear too much just pick up and wear what drops BUT do upgrade your weapon as often as possible(like every 10 levels or every new area just see if you've hit a new weapon tier/level required). Buy from the vendors in towns or once you get some exalts buy from trade. Everytime you level up the vendors stock changes so check fairly often if needed. Don't stress too much but if you feel like you're doing no damage the first culprit is generally weapon needs upgraded.

Set up your loot filter before you start playing. Neversink’s baseline filter is fine.

Understand that 99% of gear that drops on the ground isn’t even worth identifying. Don’t get bogged down in gear, it will detract from your enjoyment.

Buy a currency stash tab.

Do not place rooms in your temple until later on, if you want to optimize.

Learn how to use PoE2 Trade.

Don’t be afraid to B-line quests. Many aren’t required anyway.

The choices you make in campaign can always be changed later on.

Act 2 end boss, Jamanra, is a damage/resist check. Don’t fret if you keep dying. Up your lightning resists.

Gamble a bit of gold for an item piece you may desperately need in act 2.

Skip the idol missions in act 3. They’re worth 1,000 gold each (nothing).

Towards end game, try capping your resistances (paramount to survivability).

Armour/evasion combination is ass.

DM for questions! Always happy to help.

I'd say to hoard all skill gems until You unlock currency exchange (or just cheese it in someone's hideout).
Buying essences+bones are quite a nice way to get into crafting You wouldn't really have otherwise early on.

Don't go melee.

Don't be affraid to spend your currency/essences or socketables. Sure, items might not last you long in campaign, but often these lower tier essences are only useful in campaign anyway.

Implement a loot filter. Super helpful and wish it was native to the game