Which non-systemd distribution is your go to? Which init system do you think is good for novices?
Discussion
i would say Artix (arch-based) with OpenRC
OpenRC is used in a few other distros too (notably gentoo)
I use slackware as a general Desktop OS. just do a full base install, install slackpkg to grab stuff from slackbuilds.org, and make sure to grab the queuefile for it which will, for the most part, automate most stated dependency grabbing for you.
It makes thinngs as easy as they should be without trying to make them easier and breaking shit in the process. And there's a great bunch of documentation and helpful community. Best of all the packaged software is as vanilla as can be so official docs work too!
Yoy SHOULD expect to read a little if you're learning an OS. Would you trust a Bitcoin signing device that hid all of the functionality away from the user? Being sovereign involves not being given, but taking ownership and responsibility over and for yourself, your property, and your actions. Not handing it all to someone else.
But yes, Slackware makes doing so easier than say, LFS.