Understand the Intent of Patterns And Principles Before Applying Them

Too Long; Didn't Read

Good design is a continuous journey that requires practice, experimentation and reflection. Don't aimlessly use design patterns without understanding their intention. Avoid allowing specific technology dictate key parts of your architecture - or even at all. Practice one thing at a time and see how yor codebases / systems can improve by applying them. Read around the design topics that underly the principles to gain deeper understanding of why they are their to help us, then work your way up to patterns (or just try your own patterns that satify)