So, like every question here starts off, I was messing around with the different options on the top and bottom of the screen. Ever since I pressed 1 random button I have not been able to do anything. I wish I had more context but thats literally it. There are no options pressed, no presets used, nothing changed. Everything I try to draw / create is turned into a box that expands / goes in on itself according to my brushstroke. I don't really know what to do anymore so if anybody could tell me the riddle to this diabolically overcomplicated problem I would love to know.

throwaway1234567890abc0987654321

Everything I try to draw / create is turned into a box that expands / goes in on itself according to my brushstroke.

I don't understand what you mean by this. Can you upload an example for us to investigate? Click the paperclip icon below the comment box.

Something like that happened to me once when I was first learning Inkscape and clicking things to experiment with the features.

A reset should solve the issue you are having.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ADKu87TLS-s

edited to add: that's a brief (less than 1 minute) video on youtube that shows you what to do