You're right about the learning curve especially if one wants to go completely Google free. I tried FOSS app alternatives and slowly began adopting them before I eventually pulled the trigger and installed GOS. Although, I do have sandboxed Google Play installed on a secondary profile for necessary apps such as banking, I have to say that Graphene's implementation of Google Play Services and Frameworks is nicely neutered and easy to control so much so that I wouldn't have too much of a concern using it more often.