Git can be difficult to understand, but I have developed a mental model that helps me better understand it, and hopefully it will help you too!
Let's Use Analogies
First of all, think of yourself as a professional photographer with a Polaroid camera, an album to store the photos you take, and also you having a stage to place things you want to take pictures of. Lastly, you have a time machine!
Now, instead of thinking of files and folder, think of people and houses, respectively. You're the photographer so you can decide what people can wear and how to decorate a home at any time. (Editing files and folders).