It sounds sick but dying while exploring is an extremely useful learning experience.

Remember dying while you were exploring that new area and collecting so many new items and then getting 1-shot by something new? Damn right you do and you sure as hell ain't gonna ever forget it!

That's the hidden gem i am really starting to appreciate about Valheim.

When you set sail, carry portal materials and make sure you have already made a Primary portal before you leave to link you back home.

Chop pine trees in the black forest for core wood and set up spikes around your home and portals for basic defense.

Create a basic hold of chests(no roof needed) for storage. Just a fenced off area, really.

When you decide to explore, you really need to accept the potential realization that what you have in your inventory could be lost. If you cannot accept this, grind and make copies of what you are not willing to lose.

To me, personally, dying in Valheim is more impactful than dying in Minecraft.Don't know where to put my finger on it but the feeling is just so damned different.