You will need an attitude adjustment! Photoshop is your friend...there's nothing better. If you really want alternatives, however, you might want to check out PaintShop Pro ($99ish) or GIMP (free). They're different, but maybe less powerful. Even those tools, however, can be overwhelming. Just take it slow and you'll be fine. Maybe just try some simple exercises with it. Have to crawl before you can walk. Still, don't ive up.
M