First clip in for me will always take a bit more effort and time. Could be the cold or the rust.

Have A520's and they are only one sided- and after 3 months they have just loosened up enough so that they always hang cleat down and don't just turn with the pedals. That first clip in takes some sorting but after that- toe at the back of the pedal- push forward to rotate pedal and it is in. Now if only I can locate granny up the steep climbs just as easily when powering on.

And don't unclip at the lights- Judge the timing and learn to track stand. Then no getting sucked in when you don't want it.