Build something with symfony or laravel. In this space PHP is used in the modern way. Don't look at WordPress, Pimcore, WooCommerce et al. They're pretty much stuck with old PHP.
That said, you can still shoot yourself in the foot with PHP. The dark alleys are all still there.
I am pretty much in the "your dad" category here. Where best to start learning how PHP has changed since I used it?
There are things that appeal to be about PHP.