Its a valid point and really understandable when you consider that you should play this with several people. And even then its grindy.
What helps no matter if you are alone or in a group, set up a small camp site at the copper deposite (roofed workbench) to repair your antler pickaxe (you can repair only the antler pickaxe on a workbench, the higher one needs the smithy) and place a few fire places in your work area.