I don't like wresting with quilts either so I understand your duress!
For that reason, I only FMQ smaller quilts, like those for kids or lap quilts. The large quilts I will do SITD (recently discovered I like using decorative stitches so I don't have to concentrate so hard in making sure the stitching doesn't veer off the seam) or other easy techniques but I'll still do FMQ on the borders cuz it is easier than doing the center of the quilt.
Yes, practice practice makes it easier. Don't despair, just go with it and have fun
Your cat quilt is purrfectly adorable!