Really just this year is the first time i've been using it for larger side projects. While I still run into some things with the borrow checker, I find I'm much better at predicting them, and figuring out a strategy around it. Really once you get through the book and are comfortable with types, you really just need to start working on something bigger. You will need to change things and refactor as your original ideas don't pan out. But you learn from it.
Good luck!