Keep in mind that each time you die you lose 5% of your skills.

Skill level is actually pretty important. It adds to damage dealt and reduces stamina use.

Also being rested increases the rate you gain XP

So going slow and careful is really the easier way to go.

At this point you might just want to start a new world and character and apply what you have learned.

It sounds like you are running around in the black forest with skills around 0 to 10.

In terms of how to move. If you need to stealth and avoid then only check edges along meadows, don't go in deep just scout around and mark resources. Typically once your skills and equipment are up to max meadows level you should be able to handle a troll. That should drop enough hide to make at least one piece of troll armor,

With that armor level you should be able to start handling the black forest stuff. The trick there is not to let them build up. Kill everything before going on.. that way when you run into a troll you don't have a pack to catch up and make things worse.

The main key points though. Keep well fed and rested. Play slow, no need to even kill the first boss until you have items from the black forest to process the ore.
Take it slow and easy and play carefully... skill points are precious and make a big difference, do all you can to protect them.

To view your skills hit Tab and it has an icon in the upper right.