The true power of Linux *is* the command line. What do you want to use Linux for exactly?
From what Iv'e heard, Mint is a user friendly version of Ubuntu, which is itself a user friendly version of Debian, which in turn, is a pretty simple to use GNU/Linux.
With that in mind, I would suggest that using Mint would not be that different to using Windows.
When I started using Linux I had the exact oposite attitude to what you currently do. I installed slackware (after many attempts), installed a minimal desktop (fluxbox) and no file manager. This forced me into using the command line. It's the only way to learn really. Now, some 6-7 years later I can get more done quicker using the command line then I ever could using a desktop and mouse.