When I'm learning new songs on piano (about to take grade 1 for an idea of where I'm at) I use the sheet music to learn what notes to play.
Once I've learnt the song, I tend to no longer be so much aware of what the notes specifically are, but use the sheet music for a more general feel of the music. There are a few pieces I can play with the sheet music in front of me, even though I'm not consciously reading it.
So is the purpose of the sheet music that I read along when I play so I know exactly what I'm doing? Or is it there to teach me, and then be a general guide when I'm playing?
I'm worried about learning bad habits that will hold me back from learning further, but I can't imagine what it would feel like to be reading the sheet music on the go constantly.
I play guitar as well, but mostly I just end up learning that by rote and never use the sheet music, or keep a copy of it to hand for a quick once over if I'm a little rusty.