Help with progressive overload?

[japerezwire]

Hey! . I'm still a newbie in the weightlifting world. I am a 24-year-old female and I work out my lower body MWF and upper body T@oldwoodie while using the weekend to stretch and rest. Coming out of a depression so I am back to lifting. I revamped my lower body routine for the new year that I plan to stick to. Back in 2022, my schedule was this doing progressive overload:

Week 1: 4x8

Week 2: 4x10

Week 3: 4x10 (increase weight)

Week 4: 4x8 (same weight as Week 3)

Week 5: 4x10

Week 6: 4x10 (increase weight)

This was okay! But I also wondered if I was hurting my gains. I've seen schedules where people do:

Week 1: 4x8

Week 2: 4x10

Week 3: 4x12

Week 4: 4x8 (weight increase)

Week 5: 4x10

Week 6: 4x12

I think I am scared to do this, especially for my lower body days because I like to lift heavy and of course, will be gradually increasing my weight. For example, I think my back would probably die if I were doing 4x12 sumo deadlifts and 4x12 barbell squats.

This is my lower body routine:

• Step-ups
• Bulgarian split squats
• RDLs
• Squats
• Hip thrusts
• Leg press

Any help on how to properly and safely increase my reps and weight? I am also open to any corrections and suggestions too. Thank you!