Going mechanical as a begginer

Hi! I'm an absolute beginner in photography, only shot a couple of films with a Kodak M35 (basically a plastic toy with no controls whatsoever). I'm planning on investing on a better camera, but wanted to know if you guys think it's too insane to get a fully mechanical body right away: will I get the hang of it with time? Or is it too much information to handle at once?

I figured that, since cameras are expensive anyways, I should choose something that is worth the money and will last many years (avoiding newer models with flimsy plastic or electronic components that become obsolete and impossible to repair). I also want to grasp the principles of all the settings so I can play with them and do more experimental photos, and I fear that a camera with automatic controls may hinder some of that flexibility.

I would love to hear your opinions, experiences and also camera recommendations!