i HATE downward dog

Please someone tell me that downward dog gets easier, it’s absolutely killing me!!

I’m a big BIG walker - can walk for miles and hike mountains with no stress at all but I’ve been doing yoga/pilates for 2 weeks now and I’m absolutely written off.

I think the biggest challenge I’ve faced is that I’m not flexible - poses like downward dog and forward fold are HORRIBLE.

Is it a case of over time and daily practice I’ll start to enjoy downward dog? Are there any tips / trips to making it feel better? Is there like a “between” pose for those who can’t get there?

It’s in EVERY yoga routine I’ve found and I really don’t want it to be the reason I start to dislike yoga 🧘‍♀️