You are absolutely right. I use use-package less and less these days.
As for :init, whatever you put in there you can just put outside of use-packge right? And :config, I’m happier using with-eval-after-load.

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https://preview.redd.it/qpntitonbm0c1.png?width=496&format=png&auto=webp&s=df6951334f7ced0e895d1e40c0a113d8195adf05

One of the things I don’t like about it is the :custom part, if I want to change a variable I’ll have to re-evaluate the whole use-package form.