as a solo player i had same issue I went somewhere by accident and couldnt get my stuff back. There is a mod, it adds what should be an option in settings, you can keep everything, or just hot bar items, or if you know names of everything type in specific item names to keep.

im not great player and stop playing games when they get to tough, why settings should be a requirement of all games to let anyone of any skill enjoy the game. those with skills can keep it hard those with less can go normal and those who just like building can build safely.