Have you tried doing the dojo stuff?? You can summon diff types of enemies so you can get used to their attack patterns and moves. Also you can get used to switching stances and the mechanic that gives you your stamina back.
I recommend using the sword at first until the combat clicks then youll be good. Peep this vid also this shyt helped me a lot w the combat.
They dont really tell you much about the leveling up n shyt in the game. Scaling your stats should be done to get the best out of your weapons n armor.
A few minutes into the video... i know where I fukked up, I was at the first shrine and I equipped all this free armor I got
Its heavy armor and unable to dodge attacks like I was at first
and my mom is here and she said dont be no bytch so I got to get back into it