They double or triple in size, in all directions. Think of how a bush grows larger in all directions. I've got mine in a net, and spread out.
It is absolutely okay for leaves to touch each other, and it's usually unavoidable in inside grows. What you want to watch for are fans sitting directly on top of each other. Condensation builds between them, and can cause mold or mildew. Each day, go through your leaves and uncover leaves and let the condensation dry. Being a new grower, you really shouldn't be trimming. You're causing more harm than good, trimming leaves without experience, and there was no need to trim away leaves that were touching.
Less hands-on. Let them do their thing. Read about growing, training, trimming, etc. Go here...
Growing weed can be easy, though some marijuana grow tutorials make it seem like you need a degree in horticulture. Learn how to plant a seed & start growing with as little time and effort as possible, or read our advanced tutorials for monstrous yields!
www.growweedeasy.com