Puppy will be 6 months soon… what to expect/what to change?

Hey, for those who went from the 2-5 months schedule to the 6+ months schedule… what did you actually change? What is there to expect?

I read that they sleep less past 5 months old, so how did you change the routine? Exercise, feeding-wise?

I am raising my puppy alone and nights are okay-ish. She hates the crate during the day and won't settle. We're working on it. She takes small naps during the day, but she mostly sleep during the evening and night, then up most of the days (9am-5pm).

I usually just let her sleep when she wants, but now I am finding out that I am kind of stuck following her own schedule and I find myself not able to leave the house without her panicking. I need advices.😞

I am worried because I heard teenage phase starts around 6 months, but I can't take much more. I'm so exhausted. She's a really good dog. Fast learner and very smart. She's just so alert as soon as I leave the living room to go do something else (living room is baby gated). I don't let her roam free because she busted through one of the baby gates once when I was working outside in the backyard for 2hrs.😓