You have to learn how to do it, but its not difficult. Once you have done, you'll find you have far more control over the car than you have with an automatic.
Hard and easy
Hard, like easy, is a subjective description of how a person finds something to be for themselves. There are of course all degrees between hard and easy too.
Just because one person finds something to be either easy or hard or anywhere between it will have no bearing on how you will find this to be for yourself
Once you get the hang of it. I found that took me a little time, to get really comfortable with the clutch. But the worst that happens is the engine dies when you're getting going from a stopped position and you have to restart it.
It depends on the person. I learned on my own by watching my cousin so many years sitting in the back seat. Some people can't pick it up. It a matter of time that your brain have to be in sync. Once you learn 1st gear and reverse (pressure engagement point) everything will come easy.
To start with figure out how to change the gears without the auto running (pushing the grasp in each time). At that point, from the traveler situate, attempt it with another person driving the auto and working the grip. Make sure to put the stick the distance into adapt—until the point that it won't go any more—however don't compel it.