I have not any prior experience with installing custom ROMs, but after trying it out (and getting stuck, and googling and finding answers) I successfully did it. Below is my home screen if anybody is curious:
I use OpenBoard for my keyboard. Unfortunately I am still dependent on Play Store since some of the apps I need can only be found there. Sometimes it feels meaningless committing to this whole thing because I'm not perfectly private; then I think this is better than using a regular iPhone or Android phone.
So far I'm liking it. I am naturally inclined to feel hesitant about using this as my main phone and plugging in a SIM since it's custom, but I'm slowly making the transition.
Feel free to share any beginners advice or your own experience using GOS for the first time. Cheers!
Banking apps hate working without google play services btw, mostly they don't work at all. It's really best (for privacy) to just use the mobile site or a laptop, but if you need the app I'd look into setting up a second user profile for google bullshit and installing google services and the banking app there, rather than your main profile. Also check out graphene's matrix rooms for any help you may need, they're quick.
But yes you can get banned, anonymous on aurora always unless you have a paid app like the others have said.