I initially tried to learn as a righty, when I first started. Like you, it just didn’t feel right. My learning immediately hit a wall once I tried to get pass the open chords to more complex lessons. I traded in my righty for a new lefty and have not looked back since.

That being said, it never hurts to try it as a right first. There are guitarists like Paul Simon, who as a lefty learned to play. I do think it is hard though for us lefty’s. Most folks at the guitar stores mean well but they are probably rightys themselves and don’t have to deal with the awkwardness of trying to learn the guitar with the wrong hand. Imagine if Jimi Hendrix or Paul McCartney followed that advice.

Unlike those guys who no options, there are more options for us. It’s a harder search but the guitars are there. Epiphone does offer a range from the low price range to higher end. My first lefty was a Epiphone Les Paul 100 and I worked my way up to Epiphone Les Paul Custom Pro. A few friends have said it sounds comparable to a $3k Gibson. My next purchase will be the Left handed Fender American Pro Strat. So my long ended point is, that there are options. Even PRS, who never offered a lefty has two models out there in two different price ranges.

Good luck which ever way you go.