I am aware that this question might be labelled as off-topic, but the issue bothers for some days now, and I figured my best bet to get an answer is here on this site.
Whenever I look at pictures I have taken on bright, sunny days, I feel like shiny patches on water or hard shadows enhance the perceived brightness of the picture. Often to a point where it feels exhausting to look at.
See this picture I took in Inverness as an example:
Are such conditions something to avoid if I am still a beginner? What to look out for?
Edit: This question partly adresses the issue, but a polarizing filter only reduces the effect. The hard shadows and little blown out patches on other surfaces remain.