What’s the best next step after a year of using Linux Mint?

If you're up for a challenge, try buying an old laptop with no OS like I did, install Arch Linux from scratch, and learn along the way! It’s a practical way to get deep into Linux, but be prepared for some troubleshooting.

Memorizing commands isn't as daunting as it sounds. Focus on memorizing the basics, especially navigation and file manipulation commands. A good way to get used to the terminal is to set up a GUI-less installation, which will force you to rely on the command line. I've set up small servers to practice in a similar way, which has been super helpful.

Becoming comfortable in the terminal is a solid next step. Instead of memorizing everything, just use the terminal for daily tasks, and you'll pick things up naturally. Also, dabbling with Vim can be fun if you're interested, but don’t stress if you find it tough at first; tools like nano can work just as well.

I had a journey similar to yours. I started with Mint, then tried Fedora, and eventually went to openSUSE Tumbleweed. OpenSUSE taught me a lot about Linux systems. I recommend trying EndeavourOS—it's terminal-centric but still user-friendly. It pushes you to learn without being overwhelming.

You don't necessarily need to memorize commands. Instead, make a note of the common ones you use often, or keep a cheat sheet handy. Eventually, you'll get the hang of it through practice. As for distro hopping, it might be better to stick with Mint for now and focus on mastering it before trying something new.