1. Place a straight edge against the blades. Is it straight (good?) or curved laterally (bad)?
2. If you shim in a way that tends to twist the blade, you can warp it. In particular, you don't want to place pressure on the front that pushes the vertical alignment leftwards, together with pressure on the back that pushes it rightwards, or vice-versa. If you shim A LOT, it is better to "feather" the shims - i.e., to make the edges drop off gradually in width, rather than suddenly changing from full height to nothing.
3. It's sometimes hard for a beginner to figure out everything that is going on, based only on feel. E.g., your posture may not be what you think it is.
You want it to be comfortable to place the blade on the ice in one foot glide in vertical alignment, probably without having to bend your ankles, or use noticeable muscle to hold the pose. You shouldn't feel like one side of your foot is better supported than the other - though that comes mostly from inside the boot.
You shouldn't feel like you have to give your upper body a weird shape to glide straight and balanced on one foot, but, just like when you you stand on one foot without skates, you have to raise the free hip to make it work. Especially as a beginner, I think it helps to ask a coach whether you are in correct posture, explaining what you are trying to do.
4. I think it is great that you are trying to fix your problems, and not just accept the boots as they are.