Your question: “I’m not sure if I’m doing it right but scooping the first layer of stuff up there and then scraping it off”…Are you referring to the drwyall compound (mud)?

If yes, I’ve never seen it blown on, by pros or anyone else.

Taping and mudding drywall seams is a talent perfected only by repetitive application, by hand.

If I’ve misinterpreted your question, sorry

A person needs to know their limitations. Believe me, do not try to finish the drywall yourself. You scraped off a bad looking ceiling job, do not try it again.
A good drywall finisher learns this trade by doing it over and over many times - usually taught by someone who has already mastered the trade.
Find a good drywall finisher or plasterer. Have them either skimcoat plaster (kalcote) or drywall compound. Expect to pay more for a small job per sq. foot than you would for several rooms.
This way you could have a smooth ceiling - which is the normal choice at this time. Or you could have a knock down finish like an orange peel. Either way - don’t take a chance on it - have it finished by a pro.

Hello and I know where you’re coming from with the aching back and sore hands! You have a couple of options that are fairly easy. You can apply texture paint with a special paint roller. I have used Behr’s “Premium Plus texture paint”. It’s very thick and if you use a special texture roller and over lap your sections well you will have a finely textured ceiling that will hide minor imperfections. It’s a messy operation so be sure to cover everything with plastic tarps. You can also tile the ceiling, I have used Armstrong faux wood plank ceiling tiles and they were easy (and clean) to apply. Here is a link to their DIY site with plenty of good ideas.

Yes, that is what they did with my house. It helps hide some of the flaws in the sheetrock & gives you a textured look on the walls &/or ceiling.

you say that you want to “get a texture gun and spray the stuff up on the ceiling.” What is the nature of your question? It seems like you want to take the popcorn off and you did that. Now you have to treat it like a ceiling and use the same drywall applications that go on a drywall ceiling. In your case that should be two more since you can see the taped joint.

As far as what you’re doing, I’ve done textured ceilings and they’re ok, so if that’s what you’re doing go for it.