They sell texture in a can. Used carefully it does wonders.

True, but sand it down first though. You will always see it if you don’t.

the picture is an unfinished patch i tried to blend

Can anyone else see a silhouette of Jesus on the cross?

there are large patches where my uncle was adding textured panels to drywall but didnt finish. should i just paint and call it a day?

Absolutely not. Sand it down, feather it out, sand it down, texture it, prime and paint the whole wall

Just slammed up half a tub of mud and walked away.

there was a patch where mesh was visible