I've found that learning to fly comes from three things. Knowledge, confidence and repetition. Knowledge can be acquired two ways. 1) self teaching through trial and error, or 2) from someone who's developed proficiency AND knows how to impart that knowledge to others. Once some level of learning occurs, success is achieved and confidence grows, which leads to more learning because the student is willing to challenge himself. Proficiency is developed through repetition. Practice does make perfect (or progress at a minimum).

I'm one the the few I know in the hobby that taught myself. Not to say there aren't many who learned this way, I just don't personally know many. I bought a plastic and foam electric plane, went to the utility field at my local Jr. high, and flew (and crashed) until I got the hang of it. From there, I graduated to higher performance electrics, to glow and eventually to gas.

I'm one who benefited greatly from the simulator. I taught myself to fly aerobatics that way. Practiced/learned on the sim, tried it out at the field - several "mistakes" high. Practice, practice, practice until I became proficient.

So, whatever method you think works for you, go with it. So long and you build confidence and experience success, it was the right move...