Thank you for saying this, my confidence is boosted :D Perhaps I can just start with homebrew DND and learn the rules and creatures as I go. I tried reading a campaign book and was immediately overwhelmed. I can play DND just fine, but running a proper campaign requires knowing creatures and loot pools and every plot point and scenario ahead of time.

My regular DM has been running our DND in a similar manner, homebrew with the rules for combat. He's more experienced in DND, but I know he will just let us do what our characters will do, and our last 3 sessions have completely ended differently than the DM planned for. Not gone off the rails, but gone in a different direction that still fit their story.