Suzie
i am still not into clipless on a single road bike yet, (Doing it on the stationary bike AND on the back of the tandem), so i can't address THAT.
But i must tell you that after riding my Bianchi since June, I am finally getting comfortable with the gears!!!!
For now, figure out a few gears and just stay in them, and when you get more light, take that bike out and put it through its paces. I have thrown my chain twice on hills, and I spend a lot of time looking at the chain. (where am I?)
I won't go into a lot of detail, but learning how to shift in the right direction
and where it gets you has taken a bit of time for me.
It's a long process, it is going to feel foreign for a while but don't give up.