It’s always better mixing from zero volume..
After you record everything for your song zero all the faders, then bring up the kick drum to a reasonable level (leaving good head room space), then
as you add another channel (snare, OH’s, etc) try bringing it up from zero with your eyes closed until it sounds right to your ears.
Do this with every instrument starting with the rhythm section and you will be amazed at the result.
If you go the other way with all your faders up at the beginning it always sounds like the song is losing energy when you take something down, so as a result everything ends up being pushed into the red and you find yourself chasing your tail..
The Zero method always feels like energy is being added as you bring up the channel and it’s heaps less wearing on the ears.