@b0rk there's the thing where you clone a repo in github and make a PR which goes upstream. For when you don't have any privileges on the original repo.
Another variant, making branches and PRs that commit to a dev branch instead of main.
Personally I like using feature branches and PRs even when I'm working on a solo project. Keeps changes grouped together, keeps my commits out of main until things are working. I usually commit frequently.