Early on, most of the fun comes from learning where useful materials turn up, then turning them into better gear and a sturdier raft. Huge creatures can still make an expedition go sideways, but a settled base and a few reliable companions take some of the sting out of it. Resources are already set to never decrease in-game, making gathering and crafting far less restrictive.
What works for me is the loose rhythm: fish for a while, sail somewhere unfamiliar, hunt for materials, then head back and improve the settlement. It feels less like a checklist and more like slowly claiming your corner of an unruly island world.