My advice may be a bit dated, but I would thoroughly recommend getting the IMC/IRR as part of your aviation training journey.
”When I were a lad...”: the 700-hour route to the CPL had a myriad of sub-requirements, including night & instrument time. The FAA still has similar rules, plus additional IFR cross-country requirements. Many contemporaries reached the “magic 700” target, only to find they were short on sub-totals. Keep a track of all these targets, as you progress towards an ATPL. An IMC rating will allow you to knock many of these off your “to do” list before it becomes critical.
As you will undoubtedly have to pay for some of your flying, while hour-building, get the rating and fly trips that will challenge and develop you as a pilot. This may well be more fun too!
Get a good instructor, and make good use of a simulator. Enjoy.