Paige,
For me, the pleasure of model railroading is operations: running the trains. Being a retired railroader, my goal is to replicate prototype switching and main line running, to the extent that I can. Running two trains at once means having one or both on "auto pilot".
Watching trains go in circles, a la NASCAR, is fun but for me it gets old fast. Having an outer oval would satisfy that goal but then having a passing siding, small yard and industrial sidings would provide additional interest. The limitations of a 5x9 layout certainly provide a design challenge but you're not the first to tackle the job. Craftech's link, above, is a good place to start, as is the Atlas O website:
https://shop.atlasrr.com/c-102...layout-packages.aspx
Don't be put off by the price tags for the Atlas layouts, there are lots of track options out there, including used Lionel tubular which can be had for a song. There are also layout planning software packages available and I recommend you get one. They let you see just what you can do without driving one screw or nail. Atlas and RRTrack are only two of many choices. The Atlas package is $40: https://shop.atlasrr.com/t-software.aspx. and the entry level RRTrack package goes for $80: online_bundles.html
Do not be discouraged by current events. As an old friends often says, "I will retreat to the world of O Gauge!" Do what you can to effect world events and then move on to TRAINS.