Comments on https://lichess.org/@/mattydperrine/blog/stop-gatekeeping-opening-study/hSDchO4E
A player should not study opening lines, but study whole games instead.
I completely agree with the post. Lately, I've been saying that I don't study openings, but rather structures. The opening is the path that leads me to the structure I'm looking for. Mauricio Flores' book is perhaps one of the best for this. Find a structure, learn the typical plans, and choose the opening to reach it. You'll never be at a loss for what to do (as happens to all of us when we're beginners). Whether you actually succeed or are allowed to... is another matter.