Learning the guitar is an amazing and rewarding hobby but do not think it is going to happen overnight
. Even though it may look simple and there are some very easy songs to play out there, it will take a significant amount of time and practice to master. And where you go once you have mastered the basics is up to you. There are certainly many avenues that will open up when you are ready.
You will start to open up to many diverse guitar players in all sorts of styles. Even music you haven't liked before will start to make sense. You will hear proper talent rather than the shallow music of the popular realms. You may even go back in time to learn where your favourite guitar players learned their skills and why. You'll find yourself in territories you never even knew about and hear what others cannot.
One of the best ways to start is to learn where the main notes are along the neck of your guitar. Take the upper two strings and find a chart. Even take a few stickers and stick them on the top of the neck whilst you learn. Then, grab the basic open chords and learn the major and minor variations. Once you have that done, you'll be adept at playing most songs out there.
Try not to stick with one style. The great guitar players of our time and even times gone by, mix different styles into their music. Their songs become richer and more satisfying to a kowwledgable ear that can detect the subtle nuances in their playing.
One thing you are going to notice fairly soon is that playing guitar is a painful process too. The strings are like cheese wire and at some stage you'll be bending them with the soft skin on the tops of your fingers and before you know it, they are going to be very sore. So, take it easy to start with or you'll get disillusioned with it in no time at all.
Take your time at the outset. Have a system of practice in place and don't try and learn everything in day. Its going to take time and a few sore fingers. It will be a journey you may even find new things about yourself. After all, you are opening yourself up to new experiences.
Just try learning the basic chords to begin with. Learn to navigate between them smoothly and you'll soon build up a repetoire that allows you to play a surprising amount of songs.