Advice to getting into the TCG?

I would start by going to your local game store and seeing when they have events, then I'm sure the staff will be glad to help you with a deck, I recommend getting into either Dragapult ex or Gardevoir ex, since they'll be the top-tiers in the next format and are already good now. There are also several PTCG streamers on Twitch and YouTube that'll be glad to help you as well.

The convenience of digital clients is great, and I am glad we have that as an option, but nothing compares to the in-person experience. I made many of my real life friends I am still in contact with to this day through in-person card games. I hope it never truly dies.

Since you already know how to play the game I will skip the part about learning to play, but I have the same advice for anyone getting into any physical trading card game.

Do not rush out and buy products willy nilly. Do your research and figure out what you want to play before you start buying anything; starter decks, boxes, packs, singles... I know it's exciting, but hold your horses. You don't want to blow money on the wrong products.

As many have already said, it is worth looking at competitive decks online to get a feel for the paper meta.

In games with rotation, like the Pokémon TCG standard format that most tournaments play, being aware of which cards are going to rotate is even more important in physical cards, because you do not want to invest in a deck only for it to become useless post-rotation, and you need an exit strategy for your cards.

That strategy might be trading them, selling them, using them in an Extended deck, or simply putting them in your binder as a collectable or using them in casual games with your friends.

So look at what decks have performed well in recent tournaments (and also what decks appeal to you and seem like they might be fun to play), but avoid decks with lots of cards due to rotate, especially if the rotating cards are core to the deck's strategy.

Another suggestion already voiced here is visiting your local game store. The staff there may be able to advise you on what to buy, but there will also be other players who may wish to help you out. And having paper decks is pointless if you don't have anyone to play with.

If you tell them you are a new player (or at least, one without your own physical collection) they may be willing to let you try playing with one of their decks to get a feel for paper play. It would be a shame to invest in a paper deck only to discover you hate playing physical, so that is a good opportunity, in addition to getting some experience with physical decks in the current meta.

They might even gift you some spare cards if they are feeling generous and you really have nothing to your name.

As was also mentioned, you are probably going to want sleeves for your cards. In Japan, a lot of people triple or even quadruple sleeve their cards, but I am more comfortable with an inner sleeve and a matte outer sleeve so that the deck is manageable to shuffle.

I don't know what it's like in other countries, but I hear single sleeves is the norm. Do not worry about investing in fancy sleeves for your first deck. Dragon Shields are great, but if you are only going to end up playing a couple of times then throwing the deck in a draw, it is not worth the money.

See how you feel and try playing with other players' decks if they will let you to get a feel for different types of sleeves.

Then when you are more set on sticking with paper play and know what you want, invest in Dragon Shields or character sleeves or whatever you prefer. You may want to pick up other accessories, too, like deckboxes, playmats, dice, damage counters, etc. somewhere down the line.