About getting used to carrying your DSLR? just carry it. like your handbag {purse} it becomes second nature. I literally pick mine up like my keys before I step out. I carry it 'as is' no case, no bag, just my camera and my nifty fifty lens. Unless I purposely go out for a photo shoot then I take another lens too.
take photos everywhere. in every light, in every context. You havent failed if they arent great when you download them, as long as you can see the difference between the settings you are trying.
And when you very first start attempting to 'learn your buttons'
dont try and grasp it all at once. Start small. put it on P instead of auto and try adjusting your white balance, until you know where and when which white balance will work.
then move onto AV, etc etc,
I absolutely promise you once you click and get what each button does you will never go back to auto. Auto is like riding a bus compared to driving yourself
The bus is nice and easy but you have to go where it takes you and when, but driving yourself is however and whenever you want.... does that make sense or am I sounding crazy here ??!