Feeling Drawn to Islam but Wrestling with Some Questions?

As-salamu alaykum everyone! Lately, I've been reading the Qur’an and really appreciate the 5 Pillars of Islam and many of its teachings about life. I love how it encourages discipline, gratitude, and ties our everyday actions back to spirituality. I grew up more agnostic but recently started praying in my own way-not perfect yet, but just beginning. I know I have so much more to learn and I want to go at my own pace, but I feel a bit nervous about saying the shahada because I worry about 'failing' or feeling like I’m not enough. While reading and watching talks, there are parts I struggle with understanding or accepting fully. Like the idea that people from other faiths might be punished forever even if they never had a real chance, or certain views on homosexuality (some of my closest friends are gay, and I always see their love as something beautiful). Also, I don’t feel called to cover my hair right now or see it as an obligation. I get the protection and respect it can bring, but sometimes it feels a bit patriarchal to me. I usually dress modestly, but sometimes I don’t. Sometimes when I read certain surahs, I think, hmm, this doesn’t quite fit with how I feel. And I’m still trying to understand the idea of fear in faith because the thought that if I don’t do something I’ve sinned or won’t reach Jannah feels strange compared to feeling God’s mercy and acceptance. Questions like why eternal punishment exists if Allah is all-knowing and merciful, or how verses about women and social roles relate to today’s world, come up too. I don’t say this to question the whole thing or say “what’s the point.” I really want to understand. There’s a mix of calm and confusion inside me. A friend reminded me that it’s between me and Allah, and even lifelong Muslims struggle sometimes. Faith isn’t always a straight path up; it’s life. I hope it’s clear I’m not trying to criticize Islam or generalize. I’m sincerely drawn to it and want to learn how people live it in a balanced, compassionate way. I think I’m just searching for a faith that feels like home but still lets me be myself. I’d love to hear from anyone who’s felt this way or how you dealt with it. Do you ever sit with contradictions and still find peace? Or how did you build trust in your relationship with Allah without shutting parts of yourself down? Do you reinterpret things or hold space for nuance in your faith? JazakAllahu khair for reading!