First of all: Graphene OS.

Then Obtainium + AppVerifier to get the majority of apps.

Inter Profile Sharing to move files between different users and LocalSend to move files between devices.

Molly for most of my conversations.

AntennaPod for podcast.

NewPipe/Kreate for YouTube/YouTube Music.

Organic Maps for navigation.

Feeder for RSS.

I think these are my "essentials"