I've played solo the entire time.

Playing this game solo without reading any guides probably is difficult. There are a large number of stupid mistakes waiting for you out there with no one to help you out. So, if you are playing solo and find it too difficult to be enjoyable, I'll direct you over to YouTube, the wiki and the guide section here on Steam. Playing without spoilers is only fun until it stops being fun.

When you die, your stuff is still sitting there waiting for you to go back and claim it. It isn't lost, unless there has been some kind of bug. Naturally, going back to the place that killed you is extra dangerous without your equipment, but you're not going there to conquer the area, only to sneak in, grab and run. If you died right next to a spawner, then that will be difficult, otherwise, sneaking works most of the time.